LAS VEGAS — Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell convincingly put an end to his very modest two-fight losing streak by scoring a unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva here at UFC 79.

In what has to be one of the best fights of 2007, Liddell and Silva put on an incredible display of power before more than 11,500 screaming fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 29. While Silva, who now has lost three straight, sent Liddell to the canvas once, “The Iceman” said later the shot didn’t really hurt him. In return, Liddell battered and bloodied “The Ax Murderer,” who, for precautionary reasons, was taken to the hospital afterward.

Meanwhile, in the main event, Georges St-Pierre defeated Matt Hughes at 4:54 of Round 2 with an armbar. GSP dominated this bout between the former two welterweight champions from the outset and earned the UFC interim welterweight title and an opportunity to fight the current champion, Matt Serra, when he’s healthy.

Following are some quick highlights and results. Look for behind-the-scene coverage in an upcoming issue of Ultimate Grappling.

The Main Card
The Fighters: Rich Clementi (38-12-1) vs. Melvin Guillard (39-8-3)
Division: Lightweight
The Winner: Clementi

The Fighters: Sokoudjou (4-2) vs. Lyoto Machida (12-0)
Division: Light Heavyweight
The Winner: Machida

The Fighters: Soa Palelei (8-2) vs. Eddie Sanchez (10-1)
Division: Heavyweight
The Winner: Sanchez
 
The Fighters: Chuck Liddell (21-5) vs. Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1)
Division: Light heavyweight
The Winner: Liddell

The Fighters: GSP (15-2) vs. Matt Hughes (43-6)
Division: Welterweight
Winner: GSP

By the Minute
6:00 Dean Lister, on the ground, motioned for Jordan Radev to take the fight to the ground.

6:04 Lister, a BJJ black belt, finally was able to get Radev to the ground. He administered some nasty ground and pound, but the round ended shortly after.

6:23 Immediately after his fight, Manvel Gamburyan, in pure joy, bolted from the regular route to the locker room and ran toward the stands to shake hands with a variety of fans and fellow fighters.

6:33 Luis Cane delivered a knee to James Irvin’s face while he was down.
9:13 Wearing a gi, GSP began his walk-in.


The Undercard

The Fighters: Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans
The Winner: Bocek

The Fighters: Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza
The Winner: Carneiro

The Fighters: Jordan Radev vs. Dean Lister
The Winner: Lister

The Fighters: Nate Morh vs. Manuel Gamburyan
The Winner: Gamburyan

The Fighters: Luis Cane vs. James Irvin
The Winner: Irvin

The Post-Fight Press Conference
“I love it when big fights live up to the hype.” — Dana White, UFC president, talking about the fight between Liddell and Silva

“[Lyotoo] Machida is an incredible fighter. He’s on the top of the food chain.” — White

“I always planned to shoot a couple of times.” — Chuck Liddell

“What makes him so good? I would say his athleticism.” — Matt Hughes, referring to Georges St-Pierre


The Conference Call
November 26, 2007

We got brutal news over the weekend that Matt Serra was injured and could not face Matt Hughes. These athletes are amazing human beings. Georges St-Pierre stepped up and took the fight. If this had been boxing, it would have been canceled. I have nothing but respect for these two for stepping up and this is just as exciting. — Dana White

I am on top of my game and in great shape. I have been training with Rashad Evans. The only thing wrong is that I have not been eating as well as I should. Now I will change that and keep training. Matt Serra’s injury is unfortunate but this is an opportunity to fight for the interim title, and I consider him [Matt Hughes] to be the best welterweight on the planet. — GSP

You can view this a couple of ways. It’s bad in the fact that I am fighting a lot tougher opponent than Matt Serra. That’s bad. What I dislike about the situation is that I feel Matt Serra is getting the easy way out. If he had beaten me, he would have fought GSP again. Now he is getting the easy way out by just fighting one of us. I am not a big Matt Serra fan. The good thing is that I am not fighting this guy who has been badmouthing me but one I respect so it is a pleasure to face GSP. He is a stand-up character, as opposed to Matt Serra, who is running his mouth. — Matt Hughes