Introduction
UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva. January 2, 2010. MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. The card was heavily disrupted by injuries. Three separate main events were cancelled before Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva was confirmed: Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort (Silva’s elbow surgery), Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin (Lesnar’s diverticulitis), and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez (Nogueira withdrawal).
Rashad Evans defeated Thiago Silva by unanimous decision — 29-28 on all three scorecards. Silva was 18-0 and considered a dangerous striker; Evans’ grappling neutralised him completely. Paul Daley stopped Dustin Hazelett by TKO at 2:24 of round one. Jake Ellenberger TKO’d Mike Pyle in 22 seconds. Sam Stout vs. Joe Lauzon won Fight of the Night.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: January 2, 2010
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Main Event: Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva — Light Heavyweight
Result: Rashad Evans def. Thiago Silva — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (29-28 x3)
Notable: Three planned main events cancelled; Paul Daley TKO Hazelett; Ellenberger KO Pyle 22 seconds; $50k bonuses
The Build-Up
The card’s booking history was chaotic. Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort was cancelled when Silva’s elbow surgery delayed his recovery. Lesnar vs. Carwin was cancelled when Lesnar was hospitalised with diverticulitis. The Nogueira vs. Velasquez replacement fell through when Nogueira withdrew. Evans vs. Thiago Silva was confirmed as the headline on short notice.
Main Event
Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva — Light Heavyweight
Thiago Silva entered 18-0 and had never been finished. Rashad Evans used his wrestling and positional control to neutralise Silva’s striking over three rounds. All three judges scored 29-28 for Evans.
Co-Main Event
Paul Daley vs. Dustin Hazelett — Welterweight
Paul Daley landed a combination in round one that finished Hazelett by TKO at 2:24. Daley’s second consecutive UFC KO established him as a genuine WW threat.
Full Results
Preliminary Card (some on Spike TV)
Rafaello Oliveira def. John Gunderson — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00
Jake Ellenberger def. Mike Pyle — TKO — R2, 0:22 — WW; 22 seconds
Mark Muñoz def. Ryan Jensen — Submission (Punches) — R1, 2:30 — MW
Martin Kampmann def. Jacob Volkmann — Submission (Guillotine) — R1, 4:03 — WW
Cole Miller def. Dan Lauzon — Submission (Modified Kimura) — R1, 3:05 — LW
Main Card
Jim Miller def. Duane Ludwig — Submission (Armbar) — R1, 2:31 — LW
Junior dos Santos def. Gilbert Yvel — TKO — R1, 2:07 — HW
Sam Stout def. Joe Lauzon — Decision (Split) — R3, 5:00 — LW; Fight of the Night ($50k each)
Paul Daley def. Dustin Hazelett — TKO — R1, 2:24 — WW; Co-Main
Main Event — Light Heavyweight
Rashad Evans def. Thiago Silva — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (29-28 x3)
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Sam Stout vs. Joe Lauzon — $50,000 to each fighter.
Records & Milestones
Rashad Evans def. Thiago Silva UD — Silva had been 18-0 and unfinished; Evans’ wrestling was the answer.
Jake Ellenberger TKO of Pyle in 22 seconds — one of the fastest WW knockouts in UFC history.
Three cancelled main events — UFC 108 holds the record for most planned headliners to fall through before an event.
Legacy & Impact
Rashad Evans's win over Silva was a statement about grappling over unbeaten strikers. The three cancelled main events were eventually all delivered: Silva-Belfort at UFC 126 (Feb 2011), Lesnar-Carwin at UFC 116 (Jul 2010), and Nogueira-Velasquez at UFC 110 (the very next event in February 2010).
FAQ
Why did so many fights fall off UFC 108?
A series of injuries and medical conditions. Anderson Silva had elbow surgery. Brock Lesnar was hospitalised with diverticulitis. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira withdrew from a replacement main event. Three planned headliners fell through.
Was Thiago Silva ever stopped before UFC 108?
No. Silva entered 18-0 and unfinished. Rashad Evans defeated him by unanimous decision.
What was notable about Jake Ellenberger at UFC 108?
Ellenberger stopped Mike Pyle by TKO in 22 seconds of round two — one of the fastest WW finishes in UFC history.
When did Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort eventually happen?
UFC 126, February 5, 2011 — Anderson Silva knocked Belfort out with a front kick at 3:13 of round one.
What were the UFC 108 bonus amounts?
$50,000 per recipient.