UFC 117's Winners and Losers

There have been many times where a UFC card has looked stacked on paper only to turn out to be completely underwhelming in actuality. Thankfully, UFC 117 was not one of those cards.

After a slow start with the mundane event that was UFC 114, fans have been treated to a sensational summer of UFC PPV cards, as UFC 115, 116, and now, 117, have delivered all the drama any fan could reasonably ask for. While it's unfortunate that we weren't shown more action from the undercard, that's a minor quibble when what we did get was so enthralling.

Don't be misled by the title, if you're looking for the quick results, here they are. What I'm presenting to you are the real winners and losers from last night's epic event:

Winners:

• Chael Sonnen: Despite suffering the most crushing defeat of his career, this was one of those rare cases where a loss was actually a win in disguise. In a match-up where hardly anyone gave him a realistic chance of winning, Chael became the first UFC fighter in over four years to crack the veneer of invincibility that Anderson Silva has worn since his arrival in the Octagon. Sonnen was less than two minutes away from sweeping all five rounds and claiming what would have been the biggest upset in MMA history (sorry Matt Serra), and even though he couldn't finish the job, it appears that he might get a second chance sooner rather than later. 
• Anderson Silva: Back safely in the good graces of Dana White and fickle fans everywhere, Silva survived his opponent pounding on him for almost five straight rounds to pull off the biggest comeback win in the history of MMA (sorry Scott Smith). Although he had just absorbed more blows in this fight than in all of his previous 11 fights combined, his visage remained relatively unscathed -- meanwhile, Chael sported numerous cuts and contusions despite out-striking his opponent 5-to-1. For the first time that I can recall, Silva came out the cage wearing his black belt, and he got the last laugh when he used the jiu-jitsu skills that Chael had derided to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
•  Roy Nelson: While many people thought that Nelson had a good chance to hang with the freight train known as Junior dos Santos, most people thought that he would have to take the fight to the ground in order to do so. Despite eating a ton of hard punches that have put away some of the toughest heavyweights in the game, Nelson never backed down and kept pressing forward. He also connected with a number of solid blows that commanded the respect of JDS. "Big Country's" heart was unquestionably the star of this fight as his toughness impressed the hell out of everyone. At one point, dos Santos -- who had hit Nelson with everything but the kitchen sink -- even looked to secure a takedown, perhaps thinking that if he couldn't finish him on the feet, he could finish him there. So although he lost a lopsided decision, Nelson proved that he can hang with the big boys of the division. Now only if he'd fully commit to training...

SBN coverage of UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen 

• Matt Hughes: Written off for the last couple years as little more than a novelty, Hughes showed that he still has what it takes to actually finish an opponent and not just top-control his way to a boring decision. I'm not saying that he'll become champion again, however by defeating a legitimate opponent en route to notching his third consecutive victory, he's once again relevant in the welterweight division.
• Stefan Struve: Returning to the Octagon for his first fight since his KO loss to Roy Nelson, you'd be forgiven for thinking he had this one in the bag before the action had even started. No one gave little-known, UFC newcomer, Christian "World of" Morecraft (my nickname, not his), a chance to win. Struve was battered and brutalized for the entire opening round and was lucky to have survived to see the end of it. Coming out for the second stanza with not just a "fat" lip, but a morbidly obese one -- the 22-year old Dutchman, found his back against the cage just seconds in, yet stood in the pocket and connected with two huge right hands which secured the unlikely comeback victory. Oh yeah, he also pocketed an extra $60,000 for KO of the Night. 
• The fans: After several 2010 UFC PPV cards that have failed to live up to their promise, it'd be difficult for anyone to argue that they didn't get their money's worth last night. Between a couple of unexpected finishes, two scintillating comebacks -- including the greatest in history -- and an all-out war to begin the broadcast, yesterday's show was fantastic entertainment and money well-spent.

Losers:

•  Jon Fitch: Dominant in victory as he solidified his status as the second-best welterweight in the world last night; Jon Fitch is, ironically, my biggest loser of the night. Dana White backtracked from his earlier claims and was non-committal when asked if he would be next in line for a title shot, probably because Fitch won in his typical (read: boring) fashion and was unable to finish once again. If there was ever a fighter who desperately needed to "make a statement," it's Fitch; yet the only way he can really do it is by finishing a fight. Amongst fans, there is no shortage of Jon Fitch defenders, however, I am not one of them. As one commenter said on BE yesterday, "Jon Fitch is fan-repellent," and I have to agree. His style may win him fights, but it doesn't win him fans. As long as there is a more interesting fighter in the division who has a decent highlight-reel, Fitch will continue to be passed over. 
• Vitor Belfort: Seemingly a lock to take on the winner of last night's main event, it appears as if he may have to wait a bit longer and perhaps take a different fight in the interim if the UFC decides to book Silva-Sonnen II. There were rumors floating around before the event that Belfort's camp wanted him to come into the cage after the main-event to challenge the winner. Well those plans sure went out the window. For what it's worth, I'd love to see Silva and Sonnen immediately rematch and have Belfort vs. Okami booked for the same card with the winners of those two fights facing each other early next year. Besides, I've always been of the mindset that Vitor should have to actually win a fight at 185 before he deserves a crack at the title. 
• Thiago Alves: These last couple of days have not been good for "The Pitbull." Humiliated on the scale, then in the ring (and in Haiku form!), it's time for Alves to move up to middleweight. Yes, I'm aware that he wouldn't be the tallest middleweight in the world, but as I wrote yesterday, his troubles making weight can't continue any longer. Ultimately, the decision may be made for him instead of on his own volition, as Dana White alluded to during the post-fight press conference.
• Renzo Gracie Black Belts: Matt Hughes: 3 -- Renzo Gracie Black Belts: 0. Chalk up another victory for Hughes as he made it three in a row over Renzo Gracie and his students by submitting Ricardo Almeida in the first round. Not sure who else from Renzo's Academy that Hughes can fight but it looks like it might be awhile before they have another shot at revenge.