UFC light heavyweight: Thiago Silva vs. James Irvin
Silva comes out with UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga (of devastating-leg-kick-to-head-of-Mirko-Cro-Cop fame) in his corner. Silva trains with the famed Brazilian camp, Chute Box, and enters this fight unbeaten in MMA competition. This is his UFC debut.
Irvin gets a nice round of applause from the crowd when he is introduced.
Irvin starts out strong, giving Silva some problems on the feet. Irvin attempts a guillotine choke on Silva near the cage, but Silva is able to work free and take Irvin to the ground. On the ground, Irvin writhes in pain with an apparent knee injury and referee Herb Dean ends the fight. Replays show that the Irvin's knee twists awkwardly during the takedown.
Irvin is in apparent agony after the fight ends. After laying on the ground for a while, he is able to limp off. It is his right knee that is injured.
The crowd boos Silva when the result is announced.
Winner: Thiago Silva wins due to injury to Irvin -- who cannot continue -- at 1:06 in first round
Referee: Herb Dean
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
