Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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The US Bank Arena in Cincinnati was filled and rocking last night for UFC 77 and everyone was there to see hometown hero and UFC favorite Rich Franklin, who was looking to get his belt back from the man who destroyed him last time they met, Anderson Silva. The crowd went home very disappointed as the rematch wasn't much different, but it was yet another solid card for the MMA faithful.  My cousin Scott was cageside, and recaps the event. Another UFC event, another solid night of fights.

There is nothing like taking in a live UFC show and last night was awesome. The US Bank Arena in Cincinnati was filled and rocking like nothing I have seen before.

The main event is what everyone was there for. Hometown hero and UFC favorite, Rich Franklin was looking to get his belt back from the man who destroyed him last time they met, Anderson Silva. Franklin had hopes of getting his hands on the Middleweight title once again.

The crowd went home very disappointed as the rematch wasn't much different.  This time around, Franklin made it into the second round, and he barely did that.

The first round started a little slow and they were feeling each other out. Franklin didn't look hesitant at all as he came out and threw some decent punches and kicks. They had little to no effect on Silva as he looked to take over the fight. And with about two and a half minutes in the first round that exactly what he did. All the punches and kicks he threw landed and with authority. "The Spider" landed a great counter punch that buckled Franklin and put him down. He was then saved by the bell and the fight easily could have been stopped.

The second round began and you could tell it was just a matter of time. The bell rang and Silva stalked his prey and went in for the kill. The fight was over sixty seven seconds in the second round. The accuracy that Silva lands with is scary and Franklin felt that for a second time. It was just another dominating win for Silva.

Can anyone beat this guy? I just don't see it happening. He gets better every single fight and that is hard to imagine. I feel sorry for the next fighter to step into the cage with him.

In a heavyweight showdown, Tim Sylvia stepped in with Brandon Vera with the winner possibly in line for a title shot now that Randy Couture retired.

This turned out to be a letdown of a fight. Vera wasn't able to do much against a man forty pounds heavier than him. The first two rounds were much of the same. The fighters were up against the cage trading knees to the legs of each other. The crowd was booing and rightfully so. The third round was all Sylvia as he landed some pretty good punches and elbows to gain a decision win.

At about 9:00pm Eastern Time there was a robbery committed in Cincinnati. The judges stole a win from Cleveland's own Forrest Petz.

Josh Burkman stepped in with Petz and showed almost nothing in the fight. Petz easily won both the first and second rounds. He landed solid body shots and counter punches as he always does. Burkman was gassed about 2 minutes into the fight. He took Petz down a few times and did nothing after that. Forrest got up every time and continued to land shots while Burkman huffed and puffed.

In the third and final round Burkman landed one great shot that floored Petz who was hurt. That came with a minute and a half left in the bout. Burkman jumped on him looking for the kill. He tried a choke and failed. Petz then landed punches from the ground as the buzzer sounded.

Two rounds to one for Petz and he is declared the winner right? No sir. Two judges somehow had Burkman winning two rounds. It was horrible scoring in my eyes.

Final results:

Anderson Silva def. Rich Franklin via TKO (strikes)  Round 2, 1:07
Tim Sylvia def. Brandon Vera via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alvin Robinson def. Jorge Gurgel via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Stephan Bonnar def. Eric Schafer via TKO (strikes)  Round 2, 2:47
Alan Belcher def. Kalib Starnes via TKO (strikes)  Round 2, 1:39
Yushin Okami def. Jason MacDonald via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 20-27)
Demian Maia def. Ryan Jensen via submission (rear-naked choke)  Round 1, 2:40
Josh Burkman def. Forrest Petz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Matt Grice def. Jason Black via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

All in all a pretty good night of fights yet again from the UFC. I went home very glad I made the trip down 71 South to take it in. I look forward to tuning in to UFC 78 which is just a few weeks down the road.