UFC 78: Validation - Complete Results Report
Report by Ned Lawrence

PRELIMINARY FIGHT RESULTS
Akihiro Gomo vs. Tamdan McCrory
Round One: McCrory won the round after landing some knees from the clinch.

Round Two: Gono submitted McCrory with an armbar.

Winner: Akihiro Gono via submission at 3:19.

Luke Caudillo vs. Marcus Aurelio
Round One: Aurelio and Caudillo traded punches in the first minute, with nothing landing solidly until Caudillo landed a hard right hand. Aurelio then snapped Caudillo's head back with a stiff jab. Aurelio then shot twice with no success, but was able to trip Caudillo to the canvas on his third try. From the dominant position, the American Top Team lightweight trapped an arm from Caudillo in side-control, where he proceeded to punch the head until the referee stepped in to save him at 4:29 of the first.

Winner: Marcus Aurelio via TKO at 4:29.

Joe Lauzon vs. Jason Reinhardt
Round One: Lauzon tapped Reinhardt out with a rear naked choke.

Winner: Joe Lauzon via submission at 1:14.

Chris Lytle vs. Thiago Alves
Round One: Lytle appeared to have won the first round 10-9.

Round Two: Thaigo ripped into Lytle's left leg with snapping low kicks throughout the second round, which caused the Hoosier to favor his leg severely. Lytle got a little offense going later in the frame with a front kick that knocked Alves off balance, but most of the round saw crushing low kicks echo through the arena from the Brazilian. Alves took round two, 10-9.

The fight was ended after a cut on Lytle.

Winner: Thiago Alves via Referee Stoppage Before Third Round

MAIN CARD FIGHT RESULTS
Frankie Edgar vs. Spencer Fisher
Round One: Edgar scored a quick takedown. Fisher was able to get to his feet. Edgar threw Fisher back to the ground with another takedown. Edgar repeatedly threw punches from Fisher's guard. Fisher went for a high kick, but slipped and Edgar went back on top. Edgar threw elbows to end the round.

Opinion: Easily a 10-9 round for Frankie Edgar, who got takedowns with ease.

Round Two: Edgar got another early takedown. Edgar is trying to pass the guard, but Fisher is doing a good job preventing him. Edgar briefly has side-control, but Fisher was able to get the fight back to a standing position. Edgar scored another takedown. Edgar got side-control again and was able to open up a cut on Fisher's face. Edgar maintained control to end the round.

Opinion: Frankie Edgar won another round, 10-9. Spencer Fisher has not been able to throw any strikes and is simply on his way to a decision loss.

Round Three: Spencer Fisher threw a spinning kick and was immediately taken down. Edgar locked in a rear naked choke, but Fisher was able to control the choking arm and escape the hold. Fisher forced the fight back to a standing position, but was easily taken down again. The fight went back to a vertical position, but Edgar got yet another takedown. Frankie Edgar took Spencer Fisher's back. Edgar ended up rolling into Fisher's guard. Edgar stayed on top to end the round.

Opinion: A third 10-9 round for Edgar, who should win a 30-27 Decision.

Winner: Frankie Edgar via Unanimous Decision (30-27 Two Times, 30-26 Once)

Ed Herman vs. Joe Doersken
Round One: Herman got a takedown and walked into Doerksen's guard. Herman threw some elbows and a knee, but got pressed into the cage. Herman got a takedown on Doerksen. Herman threw punches to end the round.

Opinion: A close round that should go to Ed Herman, 10-9 due to the takedowns.

Round Two: Doerksen threw a leg kick, but fell down in the process. Herman scored yet another takedown. The fight was stood up due to a lack of action. Doerksen blocked a punch and transistioned to Herman's back. Doerksen is looking for a rear naked choke and was able to get one arm around Herman's neck. Herman was able to push Doerksen off him, but Doerksen countered with a leg lock. Doerksen locked in a triangle at the end of the round.

Opinion: Doerksen won a very close round due to a near-fight-ending triangle choke and transistions from the guard. Herman did score some takedowns, but he failed to do very much damage with them.

Round Three: Herman rocked Doerksen early with a left hook to end the fight.

Winner: Ed Herman via KO 0:39.

Karo Parisyan vs. Ryo Chonan
Round One: Chonan went for an early kick which allowed Karo to take him down. Karo is landing elbows from Chonan's guard. Chonan got back to his feet, but Karo got another takedown. Karo Parisyan proceeded to push Ryo Chonan against the fence and elbow away at his face. Chonan got the fight back to his feet.

Opinion: Karo Parisyan controlled the majority of the first round. Karo 10-9.

Round Two: Karo pressed Chonan against the cage, but the position was quickly reversed. Chonan landed a punch and a kick, but was briefly taken to the ground. Chonan grabbed Karo's leg, but Karo forced the fight back to the mat. Karo proceeded to elbow away at Chonan to end the round.

Opinion: Another strong round for Parisyan, who should get yet another 10-9 score from the judges.

Round Three: Chonan pressed Karo against the cage. The position was broken up by the referee. Karo got another takedown and elbowed at Chonan's face. Karo briefly had the mount position, but Chonan rolled into Karo's guard. The two fighters scrambled and both men got to their feet. Karo landed a right hand, but was not able to capitalize. Karo pushed Chonan into the fence and landed an elbow.

Opinion: Karo Parisyan won a very uneventful third round, 10-9. Parisyan should win a 30-27 Decision in this fight.

Winner: Karo Parisyan via Unanimous Decision (30-27 Three Times)

Houston Alexander vs. Thiago Silva
Round One: Alexander pressed Silva against the fence early. Alexander slammed Silva to the ground and applied a guillotine. Silva got Alexander in the mount position. Silva threw some punches and a double hammer fist but could not finish Alexander. Silva started unloading on Alexander. The referee stepped in to end the fight.

Winner: Thiago Silva via TKO at 3:25.

Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping
Round One: Evans went for an early takedown, but Bisping was able to block it. Evans eventually got Bisping on the mat, but Bisping quickly got to his feet. Both men threw some punches before Evans attempted another takedown. Bisping went for a high kick, but Evans used it to get a takedown. Evans moved into side-control , but Bisping got back to his feet. Evans scored another takedown, but cannot do much damage from the ground.

Opinion: Evans wins the round 10-9, but neither men did very much damage. This fight looks like it will definitely head to the judges.

Round Two: Evans lifted Bisping up for a huge takedown. The referee decided to stand the two fighters up. Both men are throwing punches, but little damage is being done. Bisping blocked a takedown with a knee. Evans exploded for a few shots. Bisping landed another knee from the clinch. Bisping landed a takedown at the end of the round.

Opinion: An extremely close round where both men threw strikes, but few landed. I'd give a slight edge to Rashad Evans, 10-9 because of the takedowns, but the judges might see it differently.

Round Three: Evans struggled to get a takedown, but eventually prevailed. Bisping briefly had Evans back, but the position was quickly modified to Evans' guard. Evans landed another takedown and pressed Bisping into the cage. Bisping got back to his feet. Bisping was able to block another takedown attempt. Evans got Bisping's back to end the fight.

Opinion: A close fight all around, but Evans should get the win, even if he does not win the second round.

Winner: Rashad Evans via Split Decision (29-28 Three Times)

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