Live UFC 82 Results Tonight

Here are the UFC 82 results as they happen. I will keep posting as the bouts finish.

My picks are in bold

Jorge Gurgel beats John Halverson - Decision (Unanimous)


Diego Sanchez beats David Bielkheden - Submission (Strikes)


Josh Koscheck beats Dustin Hazelett - TKO (Strikes)


Luigi Fioravanti beats Luke Cummo - Decision (Unanimous)


Andrei Arlovski beats Jake O’Brien - TKO (Strikes)


Jon Fitch beats Chris Wilson - Decision (Unanimous)


Yushin Okami beats Evan Tanner - KO (Knee)


Chris Leben beats Alessio Sakara - TKO (Strikes)


Heath Herring Vs. Cheick Kongo - Decision (Split)


UFC signed a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with Budweiser (Bud Light).

The Budweiser logo will be features in the center of the octagon for all future UFC fights. Details of the UFC - Bud Light deal to follow.


The Ultimate Fighting vs. Boxing



40 years ago had you gone almost anywhere in the world and asked people who the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World was, you were almost certain to get the answer, "Muhammad Ali". Whether you were in Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia or Britain, people knew of the man who 'Floats Like a Butterfly' and 'Stings Like A Bee'.



When it came to combat sports boxing ruled the roost. All of the top fighters were instantly recognizable to most fans and even non-fans around the world. George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Kenny Norton, even men who held the title briefly became world-wide celebrities.



Now fast-forward 40 years to 2008 and go around the world and ask 'Who's the current Heavyweight Champion of the World?' and you will draw a blank stare. People most often can't name ANY of the top boxers in ANY weight class.



These days a relatively new sport has risen up to seize hold of the public's imagination. Called Mixed Martial Arts (MMA for short), it's as different from boxing as can be. Whereas in boxing one can only use the hands, and not hit below the waist, in MMA a fighter can kick with his feet, hit with his elbows, and grapple with open-fingered gloves.



Not only that, while boxers have to stay on their feet and end a fight early only with punches, in MMA there are many more ways a fighter can end a match. By knockout with his fists or his feet, by submission holds such as armbars or leglocks, or even by a chokehold.



Starting out as more of a promotional gimmick for a particular style of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu back in 1991, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has grown into a sports phenomenon. Once so controversial it was banned for a time from Cable TV by Sen. John McCain and others in Congress, the UFC and other MMA events have now become one of the most watched sports in America.



Many young people between the ages of 16 and 40 may not know who the current Heavyweight Boxing title holders are, but they DO know who Chuck Liddell, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Tito Ortiz are.



One reason for this is that top boxing events are held on Pay Per View, especially title fights. The UFC has plenty of PPV events itself, but still also puts plenty of it's matches on regular Cable Television, including the recent UFC 75, where the Heavyweight champion, 'Rampage' Jackson took on #1 challenger Dan Henderson, which was shown live on SpikeTV.



The sport is highly visible, exciting to watch, and it appeals to young people in a way that boxing no longer does. For this reason, it will only continue to gain visibility and popularity in the future.


I still prefer the "Woman of American Gladiators", give me just a few minutes in the ring with Crush or Siren.


UFC 82: Undercard results

UFC 82 Results and Payouts Disappoint: Heath Herring Wins

UFC 82 Results from UFCFAN.CA