Despite the likelihood that it was to be a mediocre card, UFC 88 exceeded expectations and actually turned in a solid Pay-Per-View effort on Saturday night. While action dragged a bit at times and the card featured no title fights, the overall effect was an entertaining show with a couple of solid finishes.

In the most controversial match of the night, Korean “prodigy”  Dong Hyun Kim defeated Matt Brown via split decision in a match that many felt he had lost. After shaking off an early rear-naked choke, Brown dominated the rest of the 1st and 2nd rounds while consistently looking like the better fighter. Kim’s late surge in the 3rd round however propelled the judges to score the bout in his favor as a chorus of boos reigned down from the crowd.

My two favorite UFC fighers, Dan “Dangerous” Henderson and Rich “Ace” Franklin both took care of business by defeating dangerous but inferior fighters. Both fighters are trying to claw their way back into title contention in their respective weight classes which ironically, the two fighters have swapped. Henderson has dropped to 185 (and looks to stay there) and Franklin has moved up to 205 in an effort to revitalize their respective careers.

Henderson’s fight was very tight and guarded as Hendo was forced to respect the top-level submission ability of opponent Rousimar Palhares(17-2). Henderson ended up doing just that, putting on an impressive display of submission defense while pounding Palhares enough to earn the unanimous decision.

Rich Franklin’s bout against fellow Cincinnati native Matt “The Hammer” Hamill was a bit more action packed as Franklin pounded Hamill for two plus rounds of devastation. The fight ended with a brutal liver kick that sent Hamill crumpling to the canvas. Clearly, Franklin is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Light-Heavyweight division.

The Main Event of the evening was also in the Light-Heavyweight division as Chuck Liddell looked to walk through the undefeated Rashad Evans to earn a shot at regaining the belt he had successfully defended four consecutive times. Liddell’s plans were thwarted however as Evans came out with a solid game plan and took Chuck out of his comfort zone.

Instead of shooting in for the takedown as Liddell and the rest of the world must have expected, Evans instead decided to stand and trade. Knowing that Liddell has world-class takedown defense and counter punching skills, Evans chose to have Liddell come to him.

Although he was the one pressing the action, Liddell was not necessarily getting the better of the exchanges as Evans showed surprising agility and power in his striking. The fight ended when Liddell came in to serve Evans an uppercut and instead ate a fist sandwich himself. Evans’ powerful right hook hit Liddell flush on the chin knocking him out cold–a true one punch knockout.

With the win, Evans has catapulted himself to the top of the 205 division and will likely be the next opponent for champion Forrest Griffin.The win also represents a changing of the guard to some degree, as the top two 205 fighters are now both Ultimate Fighter alums.

Other notable fights: Watch out for Nate Marquardt in the 185 pound division. Marquardt defeated Martin Kampmann (13-2) in devastating fashion, overwhelming him with a series of jabs, hooks, body shots, and uppercuts to stop the danish striker. Although Marquardt looked fantastic, he is part of a long list to be dismantled by Middleweight champion Anderson Silva.