The big story at UFC Fight Night 14 is middleweight champion Anderson Silva's debut at light-heavyweight.
While Silva was looking for a challenge, and he certainly is going to get one with the hard-throwing James Irvin, this isn't really going to accomplish much.
It's more a case of Silva getting his feet wet for potential future figths against heavier guys such as Chuck Liddell or Quinton Jackson (assuming he straightens out his legal and health issues.)
My feeling is Silva will win this one. He's a more well-rounded fighter than Irvin, and is powerful enough to take him down, even if he will be giving up some weight, perhaps as much as 20 pounds.
But as much as this event is about the first fight at 205 for the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter, the theme for the rest of the card is second chances.
Opening the televised portion of the card Jesse Taylor will take on C.B. Dollaway. This is a second chance in the truest sense of the word for Taylor, the Ultimate Fighter cast member who was kicked off the reality show for his drunken escapades caught on camera.
He had already earned a spot in the final when Dana White yanked it from him, and quite rightly.
I believed at the time it was a great decision by the UFC president. It showed the young UFC hopefuls, as well as fans and onlookers, that the organization holds its fighters to a high standard. I also feel it's a good decision to give him this second chance.
Taylor showed he had potential. And it appears he has learned his lesson. And for those who think, what did he lose? Well, he lost the chance to become the TUF champion and the automatic contract that comes with it. Now, he gets another opportunity to make a good name for himself in the UFC.
Next, take a look at Hermes Franca. He was the former No. 1 contender to the lightweight title who tested positive for steroids following his fight one year ago against Sean Sherk.
Sherk of course, tested positive too, but he pleads innocence (he may well be) while Franca admits to taking the steroids to help him recover from an injury. Franca apologized and makes no excuses.
He served his one-year suspension, and now he's getting a second chance to do things right. Let's hope he doesn't mess this one up.
You can argue that Franca's opponent Frankie Edgar is also getting a second shot at getting back into lightweight contention, after his first loss in the UFC, a decision defeat to Gray Maynard. I believe this fight could be one of the better ones.
Then there's Jake O'Brien. He was recently cut by the UFC after his first loss in the Octagon, which capped a few non-inspiring fights in a row. But he's been given new life, taking on Cain Velasquez, who's making his second appearance in the UFC, on this free card.
How about Brandon Vera, who after a very promising start to his career, ended up in a contract dispute with his manager, which kept him out of competition for a year?
Two straight losses upon his return have since put him out of contention. But now, after deciding to drop down from heavyweight to light-heavyweight, he has the opportunity to start his career again in the 205 division and re-establish himself as a star in the UFC.
Anthony Johnson knocked out the first man he faced in the UFC, Chad Reiner, in 13 seconds (barely beaten out by Irvin's own eight-second knockout of Houston Alexander in his past fight).
But Johnson was then choked out by Rich Clementi in his next one three months later. He had to wait over six months for his next shot in the cage. But again Johnson had a quick knockout of Tommy Speer (it took a little longer though…51 seconds.)
Saturday he has a second chance to break the trend and win a second fight in a row, and it's against another guy making his second appearance in the UFC.
Finally, in a match that was supposed to air in the TUF 7 finale, Tim Credeur takes on Cale Yarbrough. These two guys were eliminated in the latter stages of the reality show, but now they each get a second life.
The winner will likely fight in the UFC again. The loser will face a tough road ahead.
If you compare the two events Saturday night, the Affliction one may have the bigger names (at least the ones with the longer resumes).
But if you're inclined to watch the free UFC Fight Night on Sportsnet, there's no shortage of storylines.
And I expect more than a few to be exciting fights, as guys know there's a lot on the line.
