Denny Burkholder

Here comes the semi-main event: Ricco Rodriguez vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

Round 1: They stand and exchange with Silva landing more solid shots. Rodriguez is quick to dance away from Silva when he starts feeling those punches. Silva went off-balance and Rodriguez tried a flying knee, which didn't do much damage. They go to the mat with Rodriguez in Silva's guard, landing a couple of forearms to the chin but otherwise not accomplishing much as the round ends. I'd give it to Silva 10-9 on account of more affective striking.

Round 2: Silva with a nice jab. Rodriguez isn't landing many shots. He tries a Superman punch and misses. Rodriguez cathes Silva's foot on a kick attempt but can't follow up. Rodriguez grapples Silva against the cage and tries to slip down for a takedown, but Silva slips out and Rodriguez is now on his back against the cage. Silva moves in and Rodriguez goes for an armbar, but fails. Silva working from half guard. He lands some strikes to the face. Rodriguez gets him back in full guard. The referee stands them up due to inactivity, then calls a doctor in to check on Rodriguez, who says he can't see out of one of his eyes. He gets checked out and is apparently better now, so they restart the fight. Rodriguez tries a spinning back kick and whiffs. He tries for a takedown and can't get it, then an armbar but just winds up with Silva back on top as the round ends. 10-9 Silva again... Ricco is definitely busy in there, but he just isn't succeeding with much.

Round 3: Silva takes down Rodriguez as the entire crowd stands up to watch an apparent fight in the stands behind me. Silva is working the ground and pound on Rodriguez. Silva slows down the pace and the ref stands them back up. Silva lands a body kick and Rodriguez answers with fists. Rodriguez tries a head kick and misses. Rodriguez gets Silva down and doesn't do much in Silva's guard. He puts the forearms to Silva but time runs out, and this one's gotta be Silva's win. 10-9 Silva, again.

Winner: Antonio Silva def. Ricco Rodriguez via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds.