Undercard results
(Note: These fights may be seen on the TV card if time permits, so do not read if you hope to see them)
Patrick Barry def. Dan Evensen via TKO (injury), Rd. 1
Brad Blackburn def. Ryo Chonan via unanimous decision
Matt Hamill def. Reese Andy via TKO (strikes), Rd. 2
Antoni Hardonk def. Mike Wessel via TKO (strikes) – Rd. 2
Yushin Okami def. Dean Lister via unanimous decision

The UFC closes out 2008 with a bang, with an event that should put it over the top as biggest pay-per-view revenue year ever.

A few (hopefully) interesting notes and observations to share before the main card action kicks off…

Griffin-Evans
I don’t have the final odds handy, but Forrest Griffin went off as the favorite in his light-heavyweight title defense against Rashad Evans. In my estimation, Griffin is quite solid in every aspect of the game, but not a spectacular fighter, and has less room for error than most of the fighters he’ll be facing at the highest level, including Evans. This is because Griffin lacks true knockout power and also does not have a strong wrestling background, which many fighters use to keep themselves out of trouble when they sense it approaching.

Griffin will have to win by outworking Evans from start to finish. He certainly is capable of doing it (65 percent of NBCSports.com readers think he will according to our poll), but it’s tough to do that every time out, and when you fight an opponent that is athletically superior as well as an equal in fight IQ as Evans is, it could be a long night.

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned much: Evans and his wife just had a baby. That certainly could have impacted the intensity of his training. We shall see.

Nogueira-Mir
I was a bit surprised that Nogueira checked in at 246 pounds during the weigh-ins. In his last fight, he was just 237. Either he’s trying to pack on some weight in hopes of meeting Brock Lesnar in a more even size matchup should he beat Mir, or he is not in his usual shape.

Nogueira is a big favorite, but I have a weird feeling about this match. Mir is probably more motivated than he’s ever been in his life. He idolized Nogueira and trained harder than ever, knowing that a victory over Nogueira silence all his doubters forever. Everyone expects him to lose, and that usually allows a fighter to be free and clear in his thoughts and actions. On paper, Nogueira should win, but put this one on the upset watch.

Silva-Jackson III
Many people are picking Rampage to win the third time around. Why? I suppose it because Jackson moved to a new camp and says he is treating himself and his diet as a pro athlete for the first time of his life.

In both of the first two fights, Jackson controlled the fight with takedowns and ground-and-pound before Silva got the better of him in standup. If Rampage can stay disciplined and revert to his wrestling roots, he is capable of winning, otherwise the fight might come to the same conclusion as the first two.

UFC wooing Ishii
Olympic judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii is expected to be President Dana White’s guest at UFC 92.

The Japanese star captured the gold in the 100+ kg weight class in Beijing, and afterward voiced his intent to compete professionally in mixed martial arts. Most expected him to sign with a Japanese organization, but he reportedly turned down a $6 million offer in hopes of signing with the UFC.

The 22-year-old is in Las Vegas, and according to Japanese news reports, was invited by White to train with Randy Couture. The 5-foot-11, 240-pounder would like to compete as a heavyweight but is more likely to end up as a light-heavyweight.

The signing would give the UFC a drawing card as it continues its expansion abroad. The UFC has always intended to run a show in Japan, but has always lacked the local drawing card to do so; Ishii would change that.