UFC 78: Validation | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Tito Wordsmith
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC 78: Validation. November 17, 2007. Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey. The 100th event in UFC history. The UFC’s return to New Jersey for the first time since UFC 53 in Atlantic City in June 2005. Rashad Evans defeated Michael Bisping by split decision — 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 — in the main event, continuing his TUF career trajectory in a result that was immediately disputed.
Thiago Silva stopped Houston Alexander by TKO at 3:25 of round one in the co-main, delivering the night’s most emphatic finish. PRIDE welterweight veterans Akihiro Gono and Ryo Chonan made their UFC debuts. Performance bonuses were elevated to $55,000 each to mark the 100th event milestone.
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: November 17, 2007
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
Attendance: 14,071; Gate: $2.1M
Milestone: 100th event in UFC history; first NJ UFC since UFC 53 (2005)
Main Event: Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping — Light Heavyweight
Result: Rashad Evans def. Michael Bisping — Decision (Split) — R3, 5:00 (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) — controversial
Bonuses: $55,000 each (elevated for the 100th event milestone)
The Build-Up
Originally planned as Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz (rematch of their UFC 73 draw) and Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill (rematch of their UFC 75 controversial split). Tito Ortiz pulled out to film Celebrity Apprentice. Matt Hamill withdrew with injury. Evans vs. Bisping was assembled from the wreckage — TUF 2 winner vs. TUF 3 winner.
The 100th UFC event narrative gave the card extra significance. Both main eventers were recognisable TUF faces with unresolved questions: Evans had drawn with Ortiz; Bisping had controversially beaten Hamill. The card was designed to give both validation — as the subtitle suggested.
Main Event
Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping — Light Heavyweight
A competitive three-round fight. Rashad Evans controlled more of the grappling and top position; Bisping was effective with striking and footwork. Two judges scored it 29-28 for Evans; one for Bisping.
The result was contentious. Bisping supporters — and many neutral observers — argued the fight was at minimum closer than a split in Evans’ favour. It echoed Bisping’s own contested split win over Hamill at UFC 75 two months earlier.
Co-Main Event
Thiago Silva vs. Houston Alexander — Light Heavyweight
Undefeated Thiago Silva faced Houston Alexander, who had entered the UFC on the back of two rapid knockout wins. Silva answered any question about Alexander’s elite-level credentials: he stopped Alexander by TKO at 3:25 of round one with punches, dominant from the opening exchanges.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Akihiro Gono def. Tamdan McCrory — Submission (Armbar) — R2 — WW; Gono UFC debut; Sub of the Night ($55k each)
Marcus Aurelio def. Luke Caudillo — Decision — R3, 5:00 — LW
Joe Lauzon def. Jason Reinhardt — Decision — R3, 5:00 — LW
Thiago Alves def. Chris Lytle — TKO (Doctor Stoppage) — R? — WW; Fight of the Night ($55k each)
Main Card
Frankie Edgar def. Spencer Fisher — Decision — R3, 5:00 — LW
Ed Herman def. Joe Doerksen — KO (Left Hook) — R3 — MW; KO of the Night ($55k)
Karo Parisyan def. Ryo Chonan — Decision (Unanimous) — R? — WW; Chonan UFC debut
Thiago Silva def. Houston Alexander — TKO (Punches) — R1, 3:25 — LHW; Co-Main
Main Event — Light Heavyweight
Rashad Evans def. Michael Bisping — Decision (Split) — R3, 5:00 (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) — controversial result
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Thiago Alves vs. Chris Lytle — $55,000 to each fighter (elevated for 100th event).
KO of the Night: Ed Herman vs. Joe Doerksen — $55,000 to Herman.
Sub of the Night: Akihiro Gono vs. Tamdan McCrory — $55,000 to each fighter.
Records & Milestones
100th UFC event in history — the milestone was marked with elevated $55,000 bonuses across all categories.
First UFC at Prudential Center, Newark — first NJ UFC since UFC 53 in Atlantic City, June 2005.
Akihiro Gono and Ryo Chonan UFC debuts — both PRIDE WW veterans adapting to the UFC’s 170 lb welterweight division (they competed at 183 lb in Japan).
Legacy & Impact
Rashad Evans's win over Bisping validated his LHW contender status despite the controversy. He went on to win the LHW Championship at UFC 92 in November 2008 with a knockout of Forrest Griffin.
The 100th UFC event was a milestone that underlined how rapidly the promotion had grown. From 11 fighters at UFC 1 in 1993 to a sold-out arena in New Jersey in 2007 — the organisation had become a mainstream entertainment brand.
FAQ
Was UFC 78 the 100th UFC event?
Yes. UFC 78: Validation was the 100th event in UFC history, counting all numbered events, Fight Nights, and TUF Finales.
Why did Evans fight Bisping instead of Ortiz at UFC 78?
Tito Ortiz withdrew to film Celebrity Apprentice. Matt Hamill (who was set to fight Bisping) also withdrew with injury. Evans and Bisping were matched instead.
Was the Evans vs Bisping result at UFC 78 controversial?
Yes. Two judges scored it 29-28 for Evans, one for Bisping. Many observers felt the fight was closer or scored differently. Evans won by split decision.
Why were bonuses $55,000 at UFC 78?
The bonus amounts were elevated to $55,000 each to mark the milestone of the 100th UFC event. Standard bonuses at the time were $40,000-$50,000.
Who debuted at UFC 78?
PRIDE welterweight veterans Akihiro Gono and Ryo Chonan both made their UFC debuts at UFC 78. Both had competed at 183 lb in Japan and moved down to the UFC's 170 lb welterweight division.
References
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