UFC 77: Anderson Silva Stops Rich Franklin Again
UFC 77: Hostile Territory brought Anderson Silva’s middleweight title defense to Rich Franklin’s hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 20, 2007. The U.S. Bank Arena hosted their rematch, a year after Silva had taken the championship from Franklin at UFC 64. Franklin had earned another opportunity, but the return meeting again ended with Silva’s striking deciding the fight.
Silva wins the rematch in Cincinnati
The champion entered with the belt he had won in October 2006. Franklin’s local support added atmosphere and meaning to the event’s name, but the title still belonged to Silva. The challenger’s task was to find a way past an opponent whose clinch offense had proved so damaging in their first meeting.
Franklin landed early and briefly took Silva down, yet the champion returned to his feet and began connecting with a broader range of strikes. Silva used kicks, punches, and knees, hurting Franklin late in the opening round. The break allowed Franklin to continue, but it did not reverse the momentum.
In the second round, Silva pushed the action toward the fence and attacked with punches and knees. A final series brought Franklin down, and John McCarthy stopped the fight at 1:07. Silva retained the middleweight championship by TKO. The rematch showed that Franklin’s return to contention had not solved the problems presented by the champion.
Sylvia defeats Vera in a heavyweight contest
Tim Sylvia and Brandon Vera fought over three rounds without a championship at stake. Much of their contest took place in the clinch against the fence, with both men trying to create enough space or positional advantage to attack. Vera also found a takedown and useful moments on the ground.
Sylvia finished the fight with more urgency in the third round, using his punches and pressure to make his case. All three judges awarded him the decision: 29–28, 29–28, and 29–27. The result gave the former heavyweight champion a win after his title loss to Randy Couture and handed Vera his first professional defeat.
Maia makes an immediate impression
Demian Maia’s UFC debut introduced a grappler whose submission skill would become a defining part of his career. Against Ryan Jensen, he took the fight down, advanced to the back, and worked patiently until he could secure the choke.
Jensen submitted to a rear-naked choke at 2:40 of round one. It was an efficient first appearance that translated Maia’s jiu-jitsu credentials into a clear UFC result. His win added a different kind of finish to a night best remembered for the champion’s striking.
Bonnar and Belcher earn stoppages
Stephan Bonnar stopped Eric Schafer with punches at 2:47 of round two. Schafer had threatened from the back in the opening round, but Bonnar escaped and later established the position he needed to finish with ground strikes.
Alan Belcher defeated Kalib Starnes by TKO at 1:39 of round two when a doctor’s examination ended the fight because of Starnes’s cut. Alvin Robinson defeated Jorge Gurgel by unanimous decision after a lightweight contest featuring active grappling exchanges and increasing offense from Robinson.
The remaining results and the night’s significance
Yushin Okami defeated Jason MacDonald by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the middleweight fight 30–27. Josh Burkman defeated Forrest Petz by split decision. Matt Grice defeated Jason Black by split decision, completing the nine-fight card.
Cincinnati gave Franklin the setting for a potential homecoming, but Silva left with another successful defense. Around that centerpiece, Sylvia returned to winning form and Maia began his UFC career with a submission. Those distinct outcomes provide the clearest account of Hostile Territory.
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Article Tags
UFC 77, Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin, UFC Middleweight, UFC Results
