It’s been a good week for MMA. Coming off a solid UFC 89 card we saw EliteXC close its doors and Brock Lesnar went on E:60. Now we’re treated to an Anderson Silva fight that kicks off a furious final few months of 2008 for the UFC. Now for a short preview that most of you won’t read…

The obvious draw to tomorrow’s UFC 90 card is the seemingly invincible, Anderson “The Spider” Silva. Silva. Many believe could be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. “The Spider” hasn’t been stopped in a fight since New Years’ Eve, 2004. He’s a bad, bad man.

The last time he fought, I was lucky enough to be there. Silva was then making his debut at 205 pounds. He entered the room like a rock star and made quick work of James Irvin. (Video) It was kind of awesome.

Silva is a super star. He’s the Michael Jordan of the UFC. Maybe of all of MMA. Silva combines goofiness and confidence in such an earnest way that you can’t not like him. That’s why no one wants to see him retire. In a recent interview with Sherdog, Silva confirmed that he planned on retiring at the end of his contract. It’ll be a sad day for the UFC, but he’s OK with it.

I’m going to be fat, with a big belly by the side of the Octagon, eating popcorn behind the scenes, making my imitations and screaming for the fighters: “Go there! Kick his face! Put him down!”

I can’t understand the man without a translator, but he’s funny as Hell.

Silva will take on Patrick “The Predator” Cote tomorrow night. Cote himself has won 5 straight fights dating back to the beginning of 2007. He’s a man on a roll, yet we just seem to be counting down the minutes until he’s knocked out. Good luck, Patrick. You’ll need it.

In other action, Thiago Alves was supposed to fight Diego Sanchez. It was a fight many people were looking forward to, but Sanchez had to pull out earlier this month after hurting his ribs. Josh Koscheck will take his place. Alves and Koscheck are both top contenders in the welterweight division and presumably, the winner will get a shot at Georges St. Pierre next year. I got Koscheck.

Saturday also features the return to the ring of former former lightweight champion and steroid user, Sean Sherk. (32-3-1) Sherk was beaten by BJ Penn in May after a long layoff because from his steroids suspension. He’ll take on 12-1, Tyson Griffin. This is another fight with 2009 title fight implications. I say Griffin helps Sherk fall down the ranks.

Also getting a medal for participation (Winners in bold):

  • Fabricio Werdum vs. Junior dos Santos
  • Rich Clementi vs. Gray Maynard

PRELIMINARY CARD (UN-TELEVISED)

  • Thales Leites vs. Drew McFedries
  • Spencer Fisher vs. Shannon Gugerty
  • Matt Horwich vs. Dan Miller
  • Marcus Aurelio vs. Hermes Franca
  • Josh Burkman vs. Pete Sell

Many thanks to PhotoShop Wizard RexKramerDangerSeeker