“Joker” Jess Liaudin (12-11) was injured during the first round of his unanimous decision loss to David Bielkheden (13-6) at UFC 89 in Birmingham 18 October, he revealed to Fighters Only Friday. “I ripped the cartilage around my rib after the first takedown,” Liaudin said. “By the third I couldn’t move any more and the pain was horrible. It is still painful and uncomfortable as hell.” Liaudin added, “I won’t be able to do anything for six weeks, so I am done until next year unfortunately. But from what Dana told me, I am not out of the UFC.” UFC 89 was the lightweight’s third consecutive loss, after winning his first two fights in the promotion. ...

Swedish welterweight David Bielkheden (13-6) handed "Joker" Jess Liaudin (12-11) his third consecutive loss in the Octagon in a unanimous decision by scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once. Bielkheden opened all three rounds scoring a takedown, fighting off omoplatas from Liaudin after takedowns in rounds one and two. "That was the plan," Bielkheden said after the fight.  "Take him down and be on top.  I was never worried about his attacks." ...

All UFC 89 fighters made their weight today at the NIA for Saturday's card in Birmingham. "Count" Michael Bisping (16-1) 185 pounds v "Crippler" Chris Leben (18-4) 186 pounds "I'm glad you guys let me into your country," main event fighter Leben said at Thursday's press conference.  "I was a little worried on the plane." Leben was originally scheduled to fight Bisping in London 7 June, but opted to put to rest legal issues in Oregon stemming from an earlier DUI arrest to ensure a legal UK visa. But, the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Brit Bisping, who told the press, "I am on a quest.  Losing this fight for me is not an option." Leben, wearing tight cornrows, chided his opponent, saying, "It seems to me that, when Michael Bisping fights, self-preservation is top on his list." A brawl would certainly benefit Leben.  Bisping's stand-up style is a bit more circle-and-poke, while Leben is happy to plant and throw bombs. ...

The UFC confirmed Wednesday that “Joker” Jess Liaudin (13-11) and David Bielkheden (12-6) will meet in a welterweight bout 18 October in Birmingham. Liaudin lost his last two fights, via first-round KO by “Irish Hand Grenade” Marcus Davis (16-4) in January, then by split decision to Paul Taylor (9-3-1) in June. In his Octagon debut in March, Bielkheden was submitted via strikes by Fighters.com’s sixth-ranked welterweight “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (19-2). ...

Watching Fighters.com's fifth-ranked welterweight Matt Hughes(42-7) TKO'd at 1:02 of the second round by younger, stronger, faster, and more complete (currently) sixth-ranked "Pitbull" Thiago Alves (15-3) last night at UFC 85 in London, I couldn't help but recall the country boy whoopin' Hughes put on the original Ultimate Fighter Royce Gracie (14-3-3) two-years ago. Hughes stalked Alves for a takedown at the first bell, settling for bottom position by pulling guard, but never finding the submission opportunity he thought he could force. Again, Hughes took the Brazilian to the mat mid-way through the first and smothered the kickboxer; but, Alves utilized butterfly guard to neutralize Hughes's offense. The only damage done on the mat in round one was after the confident "Pitbull" bulldogged the veteran to the mat and hammered a crevice in Hughes's nose with an elbow strike. Hughes, like Gracie at UFC 60, was impotent. Alves wasn't falling for the tried and true tricks, wasn't physically overwhelmed by the stocky farm boy from rural Illinois, and wasn't intimidated by the future Hall of Famer's legacy. The second round was short; the end poignant. Hughes ducked for the takedown that's served as a sure-shot for ten years; and, Alves flew the distance between him and Hughes, colliding into Hughes's right jaw with his left knee. One punch later and referee Herb Dean waved off the fight, and, officially, the Matt Hughes era. Alves never doubted the outcome, but remained humble while pleading from the Octagon, "Mr. Dana White, I've been a good boy, please give me a title shot!" "He got me, no doubt," Hughes admitted. For Hughes, there remains a grudge match with fourth-ranked "Terror" Matt Serra (9-5), then a lot of prayer and consultation with his family for the proudly Christian husband and father of two. ...