On top of the already announced Frank Mir vs Antonio Nogueira fight there were two more fights announced for the now stacked UFC 92 in December. The first match will put Ultimate Fighter 1 and Ultimate Fighter 2 winners against each other. We will see the UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin defend his title against undefeated “Sugar” Rashad Evans. Both men are coming off the biggest victories of their careers. In July, Griffin defeated Light-Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson to capture the gold in a close 5 round battle. At UFC 88 in September, Evans KO’d former Light-Heavyweight kingpin Chuck Liddell in the 2nd round with a picturesque like right hook.
The other main event caliber fight announced for UFC 92 is between former PRIDE Middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva and former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson. This is the third fight between these two warriors, with Silva being able to stop Jackson in the first two. Silva is coming off of a dominating victory over top ranked light-heavyweight Keith Jardine in less than a minute while Jackson is coming off of a grueling 5 round war with Forrest Griffin. Interesting to note that this will be Jackson’s first fight back since his police altercation in late July. Without long time trainer Jaunito Ibarra we may see a new Quinton Jackson, either for better or worse.
UFC 93 will be held in the O2 Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The main event of this card will feature a fight fans have been looking forward to for a long time between former PRIDE Middleweight and Welterweight champion “Hollywood” Dan Henderson and former UFC Middleweight champion Rich “Ace” Franklin. Both men are coming off of victories at UFC 88. Henderson defeated Brazilian standout Rousimer Palhares by decision and Franklin was able to stop Ultimate Fighter alumnist Matt Hamill with a mid section kick in the 3rd round.
The other fight announced for UFC 93 will put former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Pride veteran Mark “The Hammer” Coleman against 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. This will be a rematch from a fight they had in Pride which only lasted :41 seconds due to Rua dislocating his elbow. It is interesting to note that this fight is scheduled to take place at 205 pounds which will force Coleman to be in phenomenal shape.
