UFC 78
UFC 78: Validation was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), that took place on November 17, 2007 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Validation was the first UFC event held in New Jersey since June 4, 2005's UFC 53: Heavy Hitters in Atlantic City.
Background
The main event featured The Ultimate Fighter 2 heavyweight winner Rashad Evans against The Ultimate Fighter 3 light heavyweight winner Michael Bisping in a light heavyweight contest. This was Bisping's last fight before dropping to Middleweight.
Additionally, PRIDE veterans Ryo Chonan and Akihiro Gono both made their UFC debuts. Both fighters fought at 183 pounds in Japan, but with the UFC's inclusion of the 170 pound division each fighter moved down to fight at welterweight. Cuban judoka Hector Lombard was also scheduled to debut on the event but did not participate due to visa issues. Karo Parisyan instead faced Ryo Chonan, and Thiago Alves fought Chris Lytle.
Results
Preliminary card
* Welterweight bout: Japan Akihiro Gono vs. United States Tamdan McCrory
Gono wins by submission (armbar) at 3:19 of round two. This preliminary bout was not aired on the broadcast.
* Lightweight bout: Brazil Marcus Aurelio vs. United States Luke Caudillo
Aurelio wins by TKO (strikes) at 4:29 of round one. This preliminary bout was not aired on the broadcast.
* Lightweight bout: United States Joe Lauzon vs. United States Jason Reinhardt
Lauzon wins by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:14 of round one. This preliminary bout was aired on the broadcast.
* Welterweight bout: United States Chris Lytle vs. Brazil Thiago Alves
Alves wins by TKO (doctor stoppage) at the end of round two. This preliminary bout was not aired on the broadcast.
Main card
* Lightweight bout: United States Spencer Fisher vs. United States Frank Edgar
Edgar wins by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 30–27, 30–27, 30–26.
* Welterweight bout: Armenia Karo Parisyan vs. Japan Ryo Chonan
Parisyan wins by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 30–27.
* Middleweight bout: United States Ed Herman vs. Canada Joe Doerksen
Herman wins by KO (punch) at 0:39 of round three.
* Light heavyweight bout: United States Houston Alexander vs. Brazil Thiago Silva
Silva wins by KO (Punches) at 3:25 of Round 1.
* Light heavyweight bout: England Michael Bisping vs. United States Rashad Evans
Evans wins by split decision. Two judges scored the bout 29–28 in favor of Evans while the other judge scored it 29–28 in favor of Bisping.
- Fight of the Night: Brazil Thiago Alves vs United States Chris Lytle
- Submission of the Night: Japan Akihiro Gono
- Knockout of the Night: United States Ed Herman
