I know that my UFC preview reports always come out on the Thursday before the event, but with Christmas falling on a Thursday this year, I figured I’d bump it up a day. Just think of it as an early Christmas present.

The UFC returns to action this Saturday night with what may end up being their finest fight card of 2008. “The Ultimate 2008″ features two tittle fights and a third “grudge match” fight that may be more intriguing then then either title fight.

Forrest Griffin vs Rashad Evans – Criticize me all you want, but I still am not sold on Forrest Griffin yet. I think Forrest has more heart and determination than 99% of other fighters, and perhaps in the game of MMA that is really what matters, but I still don’t think that Forrest Griffin is the best light heavyweight in the world.

Looking at Griffin’s recent fights, I don’t get the impression that this is the #1 guy at 205 lbs. Personally, I think he lost the fight to Quinton Jackson as I’ve already discussed on this site. Griffin defeated a clearly out-of-shape and not up-to-par Mauricio Rua, took Hector Ramirez to decision, and lost brutally to Keith Jardine and by decision to Tito Ortiz. Griffin clearly isn’t the type of fighter that ends fights early; he is almost a “Nogueira-type” fighter who doesn’t really get started until he starts to take a beating and then will turn it on late in the fight.

While Rashad Evans may take the majority of his fights to decision as well, you can still see a clear progression in his game recently. Rashad’s hand-speed may be second to none in the light heavyweight division and that quickness will pose problems for a slower, plodding-type fighter like Griffin. Evan’s wrestling skills are clearly head-and-shoulders above Griffin’s so he should be able to control action on the mat. The only thing that has been lacking to date in Evan’s game is a submission game and better striking defense.

If Evan’s can avoid the fancy, showoff type “shucking and jiving” that has become is trademark and just fight his fight, I think he takes this fight against Griffin and becomes the new light heavyweight champion. Winner: Rashad Evans

Antonio Nogueira vs Frank Mir – This is one of those fights that I really wish had taken place “before the accident.” Back when Frank Mir had the skills and drive to be one of the top heavyweights. As much as Mir likes to say that “he’s back” after his wins over Antoni Hardonk and Brock Lesnar, that simply isn’t true. Mir never regained his physical or technical skills that he had before his motorcycle accident.

UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Nogueira is one of the top heavyweights in the world, and has been for most of his career. Nogueira has only lost four fights in his career; twice to Fedor Emelianenko, once to Josh Barnett, and once to Dan Henderson with all his losses coming via decision. Nogueira’s reputation of taking a beating early on in a fight, only to come back and finish his opponent is almost legendary. As the saying goes, Nogueira has never actually lost a fight; he’s just run out of time.

I expect Nogueira to easily handle Mir in the striking game and if Mir is possible to get the fight to the ground, I look for Nog to easily handle him in the BJJ game as well. Winner: Antonio Nogueira

Wanderlei Silva vs Quinton Jackson – Boy, oh boy. How much is everyone looking forward to the third installment of the Jackson vs. Silva battle. Both fighters are at an interesting position in their respective careers and both fighters need this fight desperately.

Wanderlei Silva is 3-4 in his last seven fights and 1-3 in his last four. Granted, all those fights, except for his recent win against Keith Jardine at UFC 84, were all against top level opponents, but falling into a losing “rut” is something that affects all fighters differently. We all know Wandi’s strength lies in his striking and Muay Thai skills. Silva’s knees are what propelled him to victory in his first two fights against Jackson and we all expect for him to try and exploit that skill set once again.

Conventional wisdom says that Silva has beaten Jackson twice before and will again. Conventional wisdom says that Jackson is coming off a tough loss to Forrest, a very public arrest for the “mishap” in his truck. Conventional wisdom says that Rampage is coming of a tough departure from coach and mentor Juanito Ibarra and that Rampage won’t be in the best mindset for this fight. I’ve never been one to follow convention however, and I see Jackson taking this fight via decision.

Jackson’s striking should be sharper than Wanderlei’s and more technical. Silva likes to through those wide looping hooks and stand squared up in front of his opponent, and that is something that a fighter like Jackson can take advantage of. Jackson is a very good “inside” fighter and throws solid, stiff jabs and close range uppercuts that could land against Silva. I also don’t expect Rampage to fall prey to the “Silva knee-barrage” for a third time as he has most likely worked on his Muay Thai defense quite a bit. I see this fight being another excellent battle, but much like the Chuck Liddell fight, I think Wanderlei loses this fight via decision. Winner: Quinton Jackson

Cheick Kongo vs Mustapha al Turk – Mustapha al Turk makes his UFC debut after spending the last four years fighting in the Cage Rage promotion in England. al Turk is a powerful striker who finishes the majority of his fights in the first round. Cheick Kongo is looking to get back into the mix of the heavweight division after going 2-3 in his last five fights. Kongo is a strong striker as well and I don’t expect this fight to hit the ground at all. If it does hit the mat, it will be interesting to see what, if any, progress Kongo has made off his back. I expect some solid striking and a heavy leg-kicking game plan from Kongo in this match. Winner: Cheick Kongo

Mike Massenzio vs CB Dollaway – Mike Massenzio makes his second UFC appearance after submitting Drew McFedries at UFC Fight Night 15. C.B. Dollaway is also coming off a win in his last fight against Jesse Taylor at UFC Fight Night 14. What might not be known by most fans about this fight, is that these two fighters have met before. Dollaway defeated Massenzio at the Junior College National Wrestling Championships when the two were both amateur wrestlers. Does that really matter for this fight? Who knows, but the grudge match is always a good angle.

To be honest, I’m not a fan of Dollaway’s game and I don’t think he’s got what it takes to last in the UFC for much longer. Wrestling is Dollaway’s game and simply nothing else. Massenzio is also a wrestler with a good submission game, but Massenzio possesses some decent ground and striking defense. This match could go to Dollaway since it will most likely be a ground stalemate battle, but I’ll be pulling for Massenzio. Winner: Mike Massenzio

Yushin Okami vs Dean Lister – Winner: Yushin Okami
Antoni Hardonk vs Mike Wessel – Winner: Antoni Hardonk
Matt Hammill vs Reese Andy – Winner: Reese Andy
Ryo Chonan vs Brad Blackburn – Winner: Brad Blackburn
Pat Barry vs Dan Evensen – Winner: Pat Barry