This event was held in Sydney Australia on date. This event did not have a title fight and seemed to be one of those events that keeps the legends busy and gives everyone a fight. However, Cain Velazquez fought on this card and we know he won his fight to climb to the top at UFC 121.

Crocop vs Perosh – this was a good match-up for the location Perosh looking for an opportunity at 37 years old and it seemed we needed to see where Crocop was at this point in his career. It was evident from the start Perosh wanted to bring this fight to the ground and CC wanted to stand and bang. In Perosh’s attempts for the take down he took several shots. Round 1 was all CC as the only time the fight went to the ground. Mirko was just landing some heavy ground N pound. From the beginning of round two we could see that Perosh wasn’t even close to the conditioning as CC. Whenever you see fighters who are so one dimensional, or that one fighter is so much better standing or on the ground you see the ground fighter just laying on the ground hoping the striker will just lay down on them. Perosh took a big cut near the end of the second and chose to continue. Crocop turned it up at the end of the round and then when the bell sounded Herb dean stopped it. The former K1 fighter put on a solid performance and was obviously a step above Perosh.

Jardine vs Bader – Jardine playing the gate keeper for Ryan Bader. The Dean of Mean had lost his last two fights and desperately needed a win. I like Ryan Bader a lot, he has a good attitude but he fights really weird to me. It kind of reminds me of the way Tim Silvia used to fight. Bader took octagon control early. Bader landed a few shots and took Keith down earlier in the round. Bader controlled him and issued some strict ground N pound but ref. Josh Rosenthal stood them up due to lack of action. Bader takes Rnd1 10-9 IMO

Bader looked tired in the second round, but he scored a big take down at the end of the round. You could score it either way.

The third round looked like it was going to be more of the same but Bader rocked him, kneed him and KO’d Jardine with a big left. This was the final fight for him in the UFC as it was his third loss. He was released the following Monday. Bader went on to defeat Minotauro Nogueira and has a top 5 fight coming up in early 2011.

Lytle vs Foster – the start of the fight was pretty exciting. Foster looked good with the fancy kicks. I was impressed with his technique and speed. I don’t like Lytle a lot and was hoping Foster would win. Foster went for Lytle’s back in a sprawl and ended up in a leg lock and Lytle just ripped up his knee.

Stevenson vs Sotiropolos

Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg were talking about the opportunity of George with a fighter like Joe Daddy. I think Joe came into the fight with momentum. He had won his last two fights after losing his title shot vs BJ Penn. George was able to get Joe down to the Ground and begin working him from the top. We really saw some of George’s ground game getting the mount and making a big submission attempt. 10-9 to George heading into rnd2.

They began striking in rnd2 and it looked like George was getting the better of the exchanges. Joe decided to take him down but George was obviously superior on the ground. It was a much closer round but I would still give it to George 10-9

Both fighters looked tired in the 3rd but George just seemed to be to much on the feet and on the ground. The later part of the 3rd was evenly matched as Joe was able to work on top but the Judges saw it as I did and George takes the victory.

Silva vs Bisping – This was Bispings first fight after his big loss to Dan Henderson. Bisping looked good early with two take downs and and starts landing some punches. Silva landed a few of his own with some leg kicks. Silva ended the round strong. I give the rnd to the Count. 10-9.

After letting Silva land a few shots in the second Bisping decided to take it to the ground but Silva was quick to get it back to the feet. In the end Silva had a big sub attempt per guillotine choke. Silva 10-9

The fight was so close till the final seconds. Silva got a big over the top right hand that sent Bisping to the mat that seals the round for me 10-9 for Silva with 29-28 Silva FTW and the judges agreed. I know this was a big setback for the Count being his second loss in a row. However he did come back at UFC 122 for a win.

Big Nog vs Velazquez – This was Nog’s next fight after his win over Randy Couture. From the start of the first we see Cain’s system of technique, leg kicks and combos doing damage to Big Nog. There isn’t much more to say here as within a few exchanges Cain KOks him hard. We watch later as Cain has taken the Heavy Weight title. He just seems to be a few notches above the other heavyweights. I also feel like Cain is showing Nog the door here for his career. He put on a great performance against Couture but we’re talking about a guy who has all but announced his retirement. We will see Big Nog fall more into the gate keeper position until he realizes he’s finished. We still don’t know who can take out Cain. When he took the title many were talking about the era of Cain.