UFC 78: VALIDATION

UFC 78: VALIDATION
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Distributed by Canadastar Boxing Inc.
To Canadian Commercial Establishments
On Closed Circuit-Pay Per View

THE BOUT

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®)returns to New Jersey for the first time in over two years. In the main event, two of the most decorated graduates from The Ultimate Fighter® will meet, as season two winner "Sugar" Rashad Evans (15-0-1) battles season three winner Michael "The Count" Bisping (15-0) in a battle that will not only leave one of these unbeatens with a loss on his record, but will validate the victor as the future of the light heavyweight division.

"Forrest Griffin and Keith Jardine proved that The Ultimate Fighter guys are for real," said Dana White, UFC President. "Forrest beat Shogun, and Jardine beat Chuck Liddell, showing that winners of The Ultimate Fighter are top contenders in their weight class. Now, for the first time ever, we have winners from The Ultimate Fighter fighting each other. Michael Bisping and Rashad Evans are both undefeated, and they are both aggressive fighters who want to prove that they are the best in the 205 pound division. This should be an incredible fight, and whoever wins this fight will be considered for a light heavyweight title shot."

Also added the the pay-per-view portion of the show are four explosive bouts featuring a mix of veteran contenders and rising stars.

In a light heavyweight contest, two of the most aggressive strikers in the game today will collide when Houston "The Assassin" Alexander (8-1) faces Thiago Silva (11-0). Alexander has been the breakout performer of 200y, winning his first two UFC bouts against Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara by knockout in less than two combined minutes. Chute Boxe's Silva has been just as impressive in stopping James Irvin and Tomasz Drwal in his debut fights in the Octagon™.

Former middleweight title challenger David "The Soul Assassin" Terell (10-2) makes his long-awaited return to the UFC against The Ultimate Fighter 3 finalist Ed "Short Fuse" Herman (15-4). For Terrell, who owns a first round knockout win over Matt Lindland, it will be his first fight in the Octagon since he submitted Scott Smith in a single round at UFC 59 in April 2006. Herman is currently riding a two fight win streak with impressive submission victories ove the aforementioned Smith and Chris Price.

Top five welterweight contender Karo "The Heat" Parisyan (25-4), winner of seven of his last eight bouts, will also be in action as he takes on UFC newcomer Hector Lombard (11-2-1). Parisyan fresh from wins over Drew Fickett and Josh Burkman, will be facing a fellow Judo specialist in Lombard, a native of Cuba who represented his country in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and who is now chasing glory in mixed martial arts.