UFC 78

New Jersey was the setting for Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping’s first time as the main event of the night in the UFC. The pressure as always was full on for the Count. Both Bisping and his opponent Evens went into this fight unbeaten, both where Ultimate Fighter Series Winners, both had last fights that where conversional wins. So it was time to set the record straight. Karo Parisyan was back in action on this card. For anyone who doesn’t see the combat benefits of Judo, this would be the time to pull up a chair. Karo has the Judo skills to throw anyone. He’s of late become a strong striker as well, making him very well rounded. You always feel you going to get a rock and roll type of fight when he’s in the house.

Frank Edgar vs. Spencer Fisher

Unbeaten Edgar was looking to win in his own backyard of New Jersey. Spencer Fisher is a very fast puncher so this was looking like a good fight match up.

Round 1

Edgar came out pushing the pace from the bell. He lands a straight right hand early in the round. Edgar scored a nice takedown and looks for head control but Fisher pulled guard and worked to the re stand. Fisher landed a good knee but then got pulled back on the mat. Edgar kept working the ground and pound and briefly made it to half guard. Fisher worked guard looking for submission and controlling Edgar’s posture to no avail. Fisher then tried to sit up and stand which gave Edgar a pass to half guard, leaving Fisher no place to go but back to full guard. Fisher looks for a bent arm bar from this back but couldn’t control the position. Both fighters scramble and end up standing again. Fisher went for a big kick but slips to his back, which allowed Edgar to rush in and control the fight from the ground. Edgar tripods up at one point to rain down a few heavy strikes Fisher was unable to mount any offence, but showed that he would be hard to hold down as he used the cage to get off his back twice. Edgars round.

Round 2

Fisher runs in but ends up on his back from a quick tackle by Edgar, who then sends down some strong strikes from the top. Edgar was working hard to pass Fishers guard at this point. He gets to half guard but again Fisher pulls back his full guard.
Edger made it to side control only to attack Fisher’s head with an arm wrap, which allowed Fisher to escape back to his feet. This is a scenario that came up a lot in this fight, it highlights to me that Edgar has great wrestling but not a full understanding of the BJJ submission game. The way he controls the head from the side position was what was allowing the escape. Fisher was now back on his feet but was quickly muscled straight back down to the canvas with a drive and trip from Edgar.
The pace slowed as Edgar controlled Fisher from the top, punching a lot of right hands. He used a strong tripod stance to work some hammer strikes and looked to pass again. Fisher makes an escape, but gets cradled back to the ground and has to pull guard once again. Edgar then took Fisher's back off a scramble, but was unable make the position work for him. Fisher replaces guard too. All Edgar. A repeat of the first round.

Round 3

Fisher needs to finish Edgar if he wants to win this fight now. So he comes out ready to go and tries a spinning low round kick! Maybe trying to catch out Edgar, but again is taken down for his effort. Edgar managed to take Fisher's back but he couldn’t do anything with the position. Fisher again makes it back to his feet in the end.
Then we get to see a beautiful takedown from Edgar, he chases and flows his takedown to the ground pining Fisher to the fence. Fisher sits up and clinches before they trade a few punches. Takedown again, Fisher looked for triangle but gave his back to Edgar who can’t finish the position. Fisher pulled guard as before and Edgar worked to pass as before. He makes it to half guard and finishes strong and in control.Fisher could not stop the takedowns in this fight. Edgar showed excellent wrestling skill with a busy ground attack, but lacked submission finishing skill. Still an interesting fight as both fighters pushed all the way.Big hometown wins for Edgar. He controlled the whole fight with each round looking same. Not an exciting fights for the fans in general, but the hometown crowd would not be complaining. 30-27 for Frank Edgar.

Joe Doerksen vs. Ed Herman

It was the second time for these fighters to match up against each other; Doerksen caught Herman in a submission in their last meeting. So pay back due from Herman on this one.

Round 1

Doerksen the bigger looking fighter tried to press his power on Herman, but Herman worked the overhook control and tripped Doerken to the ground. Doerksen is excellent on the ground and worked back to his feet. Herman landed with an overhand left and right combination. Herman took Doerksen down but was unable to hold him there. Doerksen showing good guard defence A dangerous looking Herman then connected with a leaping standing elbow, which he followed with a knee to the chin. Doerksen’s eye is cut and he’s looking bloody. After another takedown, Herman took the mount and landed a few strikes. Doerksen shows his ground savvy and replaced guard. Doerksen was punished against the cage for the rest of the round. All Herman.

Round 2

Both fighters trade, but Herman is pressing the pace and looking for the takedown
A body-lock takedown starts the second round for Herman. Swing down with some good punches and elbows. Fight slowed on the ground so the referee restarts them on their feet. Nice knee and trip from Herman but Doerksen flowed with the takedown and took Herman’s back with both hooks in! Herman rolled out and takes Doerksen back. Great ground battle! Herman rolled out but was caught in a kneebar. Herman then escaped and looked to control Doerksen’s back and rain punches. Doerksen nicely rolled to guard and made a beautiful transition to a triangle choke come straight armbar in the final seconds of the round. Herman was definitely saved by the bell. As Herman was on the run this was more
Doerksen’s round from such an excellent display of BJJ skills.

Round 3

Both fighters looked tired at the start of the round. Light out of range punches from both guys to start. Then pay back from Herman as he counter punched with a left hook to finish the fight early, only 39 seconds into the third round.

"That's my first KO of my career," Herman said. "I've been getting teased by Leben and all my boys forever ‘When are you going to get your KO?' There it is baby."Good fight from both guys. Could have been anyone’s fight that night.

Karo Parisyan vs Ryo Chonan

Karo is one of my favourite fighters in the UFC. You always know you’re going to see some great skills from this man. At a time where many fighters are so worried to lose that they don’t fight to win, Karo is an all fighting to win machine. Bring on the Heat with his excellent Judo. On paper Chonan a tough fighter who holds a win over now UFC champ Anderson Silva, would not be an easy fight for Karo at all.

Round 1

Parisyan knocked Chonan down with a big left hook and took the top position in the opening minute. Pressed to half guard and sent some solid shots, but Chonan covered well and avoids getting pounded. Referee restarted the action to standing
Parisyan puts Conan on the side of the cage and got a double-leg takedown. He worked his punches until Conan escaped to his feet. Parisyan landed the more meaningful strikes and then catches a low leg from Chonan and pulls him down and works to pass guard. Chonan stands up and both fighters clinch Parisyan looking for over hook control. Round one is all Parisyan

Round 2

Round starts with a trading of punches. Again Parisyan showing better timing.
Chonan tried to push the Clinch. Big Swing from Chonan caught Parisyan then he eats a big leg kick, but takes Chonan down in return. On their feet again, moving and hitting from both fighters. Leg kick from Chonan, which allowed Parisyan to take him down again, Chonan escapes and looks for a single leg, but Parisyans defence is too strong. Takedown again from Parisyan, landing some nice shots in the guard10-9 for Parisyan.

Round 3Inside low kick from Parisyan caught Chonan to the groin. All okay and fighters restart and clinch up. Referee breaks them and restarts. Parisyan looking for double leg takedown follows up with a leg trip to put Chonan on his back. Works short-range elbows from a tightly positioned half-guard. Looks for mount but ends up losing position and holding guard. Escapes to his feet and light trade of strikes. Parisyan looking for the takedown landed a nice elbow. Slow end to the round. Chonan not doing enough and Parisyan keeping control of the whole fight.Parisyan all night long. All judges 30-27 Not the best fight, but only because Chonan is tough fighter wilth good defence. Parisyan looks his best when the pressure is on and Chonan could not bring that to him.

"I would love a title shot," Parisyan said. "I got my title shot two and a half years ago. I got injured. I had to come back and fight. I had to work my way up again."He’s must be in line for a shot at the title very soon.

Thiago Silva vs Houston Alexander

Silva an unbeaten striker who is also a Brazilian BJJ black belt looked like a big test for Houston. Would it be strength over skill? Houston looked like a physical monster as he entered the ring. With the crowd giving him full support.

Round 1

Houston stalked looking to unload but both end up clinched. Nice knee from Silva. Fighters break and Silva shows some nice stand up skills with an inside leg kick
Houston tried to unload and Silva clinches in order to control the game. Houston shows his strength and picks up Silva in the clinch and takes the fight to the ground. But made some basic grappling mistakes leaving his legs in front of Silva to be reversed with a single-leg takedown. Silva worked to pass and gain side control. Houston tried holding around Silva from the back, which is another basic grappling error. Silva takes mount, where he landed some heavy shots. Houston tried to lock down Silva but started eating punches and elbows. More shots rain down on Houston. Silva pounds away until Houston is knocked out. The referee jumped in at 3:25 of the first round. Houston is a power guy but it’s his ground game that needs work. I’m sure he will go away and address this before his next return to the octagon.

"I am a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and I want to fight here on the ground," Silva said after the fight.Silva was very humble in victory and paid respect to Houston who I am sure we will see again. Silva was very impressive under pressure and is a man to watch out for.

Michael Bisping vs Rashad Evans

Round 1

Bisping looked mean and lean for this fight. Both fighters centre around each other. Evans hit Bisping with a right hand and works for the double-leg. Bisping defended well, but Evans will not stop driving for the takedown. Evans finally gets the takedown and Bisping works to his feet off the cage. Referee breaks them and there’s another exchange before Evens hits a right hand and takes Bisping down. Evans passes to side but Bisping escaped side-control and got back to his feet. Both in the clinch Bisping lands a knee and uppercut. Another Evans takedown and a few elbows. Bisping is hard to control on the ground and pulls gurard.Evans has the round, but only due to takedowns.

Round 2

Bisping ran out with kick and looks to chase Evans. Evans connected with a right hand before slamming Bisping to the floor. Bisping defended well from his guard, with elbow attacks and submission attempts. The referee stands them up after not much action for Evans. Bisping stood his ground delivered some good hands strikes. Evans answered with good right hand counter. Bisping works forward and connects a low leg kick Evans tries to work forward but looks tired. Nice hard knee from Bisping landed in Evan's midsection. A straight right counter landed for Evans just before Bisping scored a takedown of his own.Close round. Bisping back in the game.

Round 3

Evans is very tired looking now. But comes out swinging He punches out of range.
Bisping looks fresher and is finding his pace.Evans goes back to plan ‘A’ and looks for the takedowns again. This time he struggled for a takedown, which he got in the end, but Bisping reversed it and took Evans back only to lose position. Evans stands up eats a jab from Bisping. Evans swings in the air again. Two right hands connect for Evans followed by a double-leg takedown dive. Bisping looks calm and restands. Right hand from Evans and shoots in again. Good sprawl defence from Bisping, nice uppercut and knee to the body lands for Bisping. Another takedown from Evans to end the round.The judges call a split-decision. 29-28 Evans, 29-28 Bisping, 29-28 for Evans.Okay Evans got the win, but as in his last fight he just seems to be playing the points game on scoring takedowns to get the win. He may be winning fights but he’s not winning fans with his style of fighting. I think he will have problems with a 5 round fight, as shooting for takedowns will get harder later in the fight. Bisping too still holds a lot of raw potential. He’s as tough as nails and has good ground defence. Looking at Bisping’s striking style you can see from his foot and shoulder placement he leaves himself open for the takedown when he throws his right hand. This is why he’s having problems with high-level wrestlers. Once they are on the ground not being in trouble, he’s good at getting back to his feet. I was sure watching his last fights against good wrestlers that if the fights where 5 rounds rather that 3 rounds he would have taken control in the later rounds. He has natural striking power, which he is unable to put to use at this level. Once Bisping addresses this issue I think he will have what he needs to take on anyone.Overall UFC 78 had top-level fighters. But styles make fights.

Alan Orr is a disciple of Robert Chu Sifu and the European representative of the Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun system. Teacher of Tui Na Chinese Massage Therapy

He is also the UK representative for Guro Mark Wiley in the Filipino martial arts and Sensei Eddy Millis of Shark Tank in NHB/Grappling.

Web:
www.alanorr.com
www.thechinesemedicineacademy.co.uk
www.warriorfunctionaltraining.com

For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or email: info@alanorr.co.uk