Fight Talk

It seems like every major MMA group out there put together a big show in the waning days of 2007. Of course, the biggest show was UFC 79 in Las Vegas on Dec.29

Georges St.-Pierre won the UFC interim welterweight title with a convincing second-round win over Matt Hughes. St. Pierre will face the injured champion, Matt Serra, to unify the belts in the spring.

Chuck Liddell stayed alive as a top UFC when he won a unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva. Liddell needed the win after losses to Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine. Both Liddell and Silva emerged with the fans’ respect after their bloody war.

In other bouts, Eddie Sanchez defeated Soa Palelei; Lyoto Machica downed Sokoudjou; and Rich Clementi defeated Melvin Guillard.

The IFL also wrapped up the year with its Grand Prix finals at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. on Dec. 29.

Waggney Fabiano (9-1) wiped out L.C. Davis (9-1) with a first-round armbar to become the new IFL featherweight champion.

Jay Hieron (14-4) defeated Delson Heleno (13-4) on a doctor’s stoppage in Round 1 to become the first IFL welterweight champion.

Matt “Suave” Horwich (21-9-1) knocked out B.J. Radach (19-3) in Round 2 to win the IFL middleweight title.

Ryan Schultz (18-9-1) captured the IFL lightweight title with a first-round TKO of Chris Horodecki (11-1).

Finally, Roy Nelson (11-2) won the IFL heavyweight title over Antoine Jaoude (8-3) with a TKO early in the second round.

In other fights, Fedor Emelianenko defeated Hong Man Choi with a first-round armbar on New Year’s Eve in Yurenoka, Japan.

Meanwhile, Bob Sapp defeated Bobby Ologun with a flurry of strikes at another New Year’s Eve show in Osaka.

Happy New Year and thanks for reading Fight Talk!

–Jeff Gorman