Arco Arena in Sacramento, California – July 7th, 2007 UFC 73 was called “Stacked” because the fight card was so stacked that MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, lightweight champ Sean Sherk and UFC headliner Tito Ortiz were all fighting on the undercard! Unfortunately, the only matchup on the fight card that wasn’t impressive was the main event. With all the talent in the middleweight division, one could imagine a more challenging fight for the champ than Nate Marquardt, whose four wins in the UFC have come over opponents with a combined UFC record of 6 wins and 8 losses.

NATE MARQUARDT vs. ANDERSON SILVA – MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

On the face of it, it didn’t look like the unheralded Nate Marquardt had much of a chance against a monster like Anderson Silva, who has destroyed everyone put in front of him. But the exiting thing about the UFC is that there are so many ways to win a fight that anything can happen. Boxers only have the knockout punch to fall back on while an MMA fighter can also pull off a knockout leg kick, a knee to the head or catch his opponent in a submission hold and tap him out. Nate has good hands and is also effective on the ground. This is an area he hopes will give him the edge over Silva.

That being said, Anderson Silva can flat put your lights out. His smothering Muay Thai practically re-arranged the face of then champion Rich Franklin, causing him to undergo reconstructive surgery after the fight. Silva knocked Chris Leben loopy, a man known to have one of the toughest chins in the UFC. His last fight in March, Silva gamely dispatched Travis Lutter and answered critics who felt a jiu-jitsu fighter would be Silva’s weakness. This is officially Silva’s first title defense since Lutter didn’t make weight and thus, was not a title fight.

For those that still think Silva’s weakness is on the ground, Silva showed he is not afraid to be taken down by leading off the fight with a flying knee kick. It missed and ended up with Silva on his back. From there, much like the Lutter fight, Silva seemed perfectly at home trying submissions and tying up his opponent. After the ref stood them up, Silva eventually landed a big left hand. Later Anderson pulled a nice switch and ended up on top throwing bombs. Still standing over Marquardt and taking his time, he landed a big blow to the face and Nate curled up in a defensive position. Silva then reigned down several uncontested blows and the ref stopped the fight with 10 seconds left in the first round.

Silva remains the middleweight champ and improves his MMA record to 19-4. Marquardt drops to 28-7-1. Those who still think Silva can’t handle a jiu-jitsu fighter should take a few jiu-jitsu lessons and jump into the Octagon with him. For right now, Silva looks unbeatable. Hell, maybe the UFC can’t find anybody willing to fight Anderson Silva. But Marquardt did. So give him credit for being a fearless and courageous individual and doing what nobody else wants to do; fight Silva.

RASHAD EVANS vs. TITO ORTIZ

The Ultimate Fighter 1 (TUF1) winner Rashad Evans will face his biggest challenge against UFC legend Tito Ortiz. The undefeated Evans can answer the question once and for all, do these reality show winners have what it takes to beat the top ranked fighters of the UFC? Both of these guys are great wrestlers. Tito refuses to be a stepping stone and he is angry. He doesn’t think this fight is befitting someone of his caliber.

The first round saw Ortiz controlling the fight, taking it to the ground and neutralizing Evans. Ortiz was stifling Evans and preventing him from mounting any kind of attack of his own. The lone exception being when Ortiz, facing the fence, got popped with a looping right hook from behind that opened up a cut under Ortiz’ right eye. But mostly, Evans was either hitting air or defending takedowns.

Evans came out dancing and bobbing for the second but both fighters seemed tentative being on their feet and not much happened over the next four minutes. Then, with a minute left, Tito took Rashad down and they took turns defending and grappling against the fence. Suddenly, the referee took a point from Tito for repeatedly holding onto the fence to avoid a takedown. Tito immediately cinched a very tight guillotine chokehold on Evans but time ran out.

Ortiz continued to neutralize Evans on the ground in the third and final round. Rashad was unable to mount an attack even when it was clear that Ortiz was moving sluggishly in the final two minutes. Rashad was finally able to get a takedown in the closing seconds but squandered the opportunity as time ran out.

All three judges scored this a 28-28 draw. Evans just did not do enough to win this fight. The point taken away from Tito was a gift for Evans as it kept the fight out of the win column for Tito. They both wanted a rematch and will probably get it, but that doesn’t mean I will watch it. Tito’s record is now 16-5-1 while Evan is technically still undefeated at 15-0-1.

HERMES FRANCA vs. SEAN SHERK – LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

Brazilian Hermes Franca earned this title shot against American lightweight champion Sean Sherk by beating fan favorite and lightweight dynamo, Spencer Fisher in UFC Fight Night 8 in January. That and publicly begging UFC President Dana White in his post fight interview. Oh yeah, and Franca has also won 8 straight fights, all by stoppage. Sherk is making his first title defense since winning the vacant lightweight belt against Kenny Florian last October. Sherk is known for his inhuman training regiment and superhuman strength. Sherk had quit fighting at one point for financial reasons but came back after a more successful UFC reinstated the 155lb division.

Sherk controlled the entire first round on the ground, trying for submissions and twice getting full mount. Franca stayed calm and didn’t sustain too much damage but definitely lost the round. To start the second, Sherk shot in for the takedown and received a knee in the face for his troubles. The knee from Hermes was right on the button and would’ve put any ordinary fighter to sleep. Sherk crumbled to the canvas and Hermes jumped on him. Sherk struggled to his feet right into a guillotine choke. Sherk escaped, took time to clear the cobwebs, and then continued his domination of Franca on the ground until the round ended. Round 2 probably went to Hermes but Sherk made it a close call. In the third, Sherk continued his dominating ground game, passing guard and trying submissions. Hermes kept escaping but wasn’t scoring any points.

Hermes corner urged him to throw some leg kicks in the fourth and Hermes responded by landing another knee flush on Sherk’s face. Sherk somehow grabbed Franca, took him down and continued pounding like nothing happened. Sherk showed why he is champion, relentlessly going after Franca the entire round. The frustration and exhaustion showed on Franca’s face each time Sherk took him down. Round four went to Sherk and now its desperation time for Franca. For the fifth and final round, Sherk looked fresh while Hermes was breathing hard. More ground and pound from Sherk. Hermes was bleeding from the nose. This one was clearly over.

Franca was just overwhelmed by a better-conditioned athlete. Sean Sherk was simply too powerful and too strong. Sherk sent a message to all UFC lightweights. If you want his belt, you better be able to deal five full rounds of 100% domination. Sherk retains his belt and improves his MMA record to 36-2-1. Franca drops to 19-6 and didn’t even look like he belonged in the same league as Sherk.

HEATH HERRING vs. ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA

UFC President Dana White’s promise to bring the very best fighters in the world to the UFC results in this tune-up fight for Pride veteran and MMA legend, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Nogueira is a former heavyweight champion in the PRIDE fighting organization. He has beaten such celebrated fighters as Dan Henderson, Mirko Cro Cop and Bob Sapp. Tonight he is making his UFC debut against free-agent underachiever, Heath Herring, a man Nogueira has already defeated twice. Herring, a K1 and Pride veteran, was brought in to shake up the UFC heavyweight division but after a disappointing loss to Jake O’Brien, he was demoted to the prelims of UFC 69 where he saved himself by beating up TUF 2 runner-up Brad Imes.

Nogueira came out and quickly took the fight to the ground. After a minute Heath squirmed free and the two stood and traded shots for the next 2 minutes. With Nogueira pressing the attack, he staggered Heath with a left jab and seconds later landed another jabby that bloodied Heath’s nose. With 36 seconds left in the round, Herring landed a left kick right on the jaw that sent Nogueira to the canvas. Herring jumped on him and began landing the customary hammer throws that usually end the fight. So many times we’ve seen refs stop the fight but this ref wasn’t going to have another high priced disappointment on his hands and he let the fight continue. Herring them jumped up and urged Nogueira to stand with him. With Nogueira woozy and wobbly, Herring couldn’t land the knockout blow on a staggering target and the round ended. Missed opportunity. What a mistake!

In the second, Nogueira came out sluggish and still woozy. Instead of jumping all over him, Herring came out cautiously giving Nogueira precious time to recover. After a minute and a half of circling, Nogueira seemed like his old self and started to attack. Nogueira took him down and quickly got full mount but Heath escaped and stood up. Nogueira continue to press the attack, landing left jabs while Heath kept trying more left leg kicks.

Herring ate more left jabs in the third. Nogueira then easily took him down and Herring rolled onto his back. Nogueira sunk in a rear naked choke but Herring escaped. Back on their feet, Nogueira bullied Herring to cinch the unanimous decision.

Heath is going to have plenty of time to kick himself watching the replay as his 1-2 UFC record should keep him on the un-televised prelim fights. As for Nogueira, he looked very average and very beatable. His UFC debut was less than spectacular but he certainly gets points for coming back from a devastating knockdown to get the win.

ALVIN ROBINSON vs. KENNY FLORIAN

Alvin Robinson is going to have his hands full making his UFC debut against highly regarded Muay Thai specialist Kenny Florian. Florian suffered a minor setback in his rising career when he lost his shot at the vacant lightweight title to Sean Sherk in UFC 64. Florian responded by beating another fighter on the rise, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, on UFC Fight Night 9.

Florian was extremely busy tonight taking Robinson to the mat at will and keeping him there. With 47 seconds left in the first round, Kenny got full mount and pounded out a beating for 17 seconds before the ref stopped the fight.

Kenny improves to 9-3, Robinson loses his UFC debut and drops to 9-2. In his post fight comments with Joe Rogan, Kenny said he wants another crack at lightweight champion Sean Sherk and hinted that unlike Sherk, he (Florian) finishes fights (early and doesn’t let them go to the judge’s scorecards).

In Other action

Stephan Bonnar over Mike Nickels Rear Naked Choke Rd 1
Jorge Gurgel over Diego Saraeiva Decision Rd 3
Chris Lytle over Jason Gilliam Triangle Choke 2:15 Rd 1
Frankie Edgar defeated Canadian Mark Bocek 4:55 Rd 1 Ref Stoppage