Beating the Odds: UFC 168

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Chris Weidman attempted to prove the doubters wrong again in a highly anticipated rematch against Anderson Silva, a slight favorite.

Weidman (+147) was dominant in the first round, coming close to finishing the bout with a heavy right hand followed by punches and elbows on the floor.

Silva (-127) scored some punches and elbows of his own from the bottom and made it to the second stanza. Weidman, who'd been peppered with repeated low kicks the first time he fought the “Spider,” said he practiced checking those kicks -- and it proved to be effective in the second period, as Silva suffered a gruesome leg break which ultimately ended the fight.

It only took 1:11 for Travis Browne to defeat Gabriel Gonzaga at the TUF 17 finale last April, but it took even less than that for “Hapa” (+130) to handily defeat Josh Barnett (-150).

The Jackson's MMA prospect scored a vicious knockout over the man they call “The Warmaster” just one minute into the first round until referee Yves Lavigne had seen enough and pulled the hulking Hawaiian off of the concussed former champion.

“TUF 12” finalist Michael Johnson (+135) delivered a decisive victory over American Top Team’s Gleison Tibau (-155) in a preliminary scrap. Although Tibau was strong in the first round with precise striking, the Blackzilians product rebounded in the second with effective footwork and a beautiful counter left that sent Tibau reeling to the canvas 1:32 into the frame.

“TUF Brazil” Season 2 finalist William Macario (+125) defeated Bobby Voelker (-145) by decision with heavy strikes in three violent rounds.

The muay Thai specialist utilized crisp strikes, knees, elbows and even some takedowns to ultimately dominate his blood-drenched opponent.

John Howard (+130) defeated Siyar Bahadurzada, a -150 favorite, by unanimous decision, winning all three rounds according to the cageside judges. Howard scored his fourth consecutive win, outpointing the Blackzilians representative with takedowns and ground-and-pound.