RESULTS - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion Results

Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, played host to UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" Saturday night. At around 8:00pm ET the preliminary bouts got underway, with Jorge Gurgel vs. John Halverson in a 155lb lightweight matchup to kick things off. Next up was a 170lb welterweight matchup between Diego Sanchez and David Bielkheden, followed by another 170lb welterweight bout between Josh Koscheck vs. Dustin Hazelett. Stepping into the octagon next was Luigi Fioravanti and Luke Cummo in yet another 170lb welterweight battle. Surprising to me, also in the prelim bouts was a heavyweight matchup between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andre Arlovski and undefeated Jake O'Brien to close out the preliminary fights.

As scheduled the main card bouts began at around 10:30pm ET with Jon Fitch and Chris Wilson kicking things off with a 170lb welterweight bout. Then came the return of Evan Tanner, taking on the dangerous Japanese striker Yushin Okami in a 185lb middleweight bout. Up next was Alessio Sakara, facing Chris Leben in a 185lb middleweight contest. In the other heavyweight contest on the night, Cheick Kongo took on "The Texas Crazyhorse" Heath Herring. And finally the highly anticipated battle of two champions, UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva and PRIDE Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson. This fight was to answer a burning question - who is the best middleweight fighter in the world?

- RESULTS -
Jorge Gurgel defeats John Halverson by Decision (Unanimous)
Diego Sanchez defeats David Bielkheden by Submission (Strikes from mount) at 4:43 of Round 1
Josh Koscheck defeats Dustin Hazelett by TKO (Ref stoppage from strikes) at 1:24 of Round 2
Luigi Fioravanti defeats Luke Cummo by Decision (Unanimous)
Andre Arlovski defeats Jake O'Brien by TKO (Ref stoppage from strikes) at 4:17 of Round 2
Jon Fitch defeats Chris Wilson by Decision (Unanimous)
Yushin Okami defeats Evan Tanner by KO (Knee) at 3:00 of Round 2
Chris Leben defeats Alessio Sakara by TKO (Ref stoppage from strikes) at 3:16 of Round 1
Heath Herring defeats Cheick Kongo by Decision (Split)
Anderson Silva defeats Dan Henderson by Submission (Rear naked choke) at 4:52 of Round 2