UFC 88 Preview: Liddell-Evans, Parisyan Out, Additional News and Notes

Amidst all of the talk of Randy Couture's return to the UFC, people forgot that there's a PPV this Saturday night in Atlanta, featuring former light-heavy kingpin Chuck Liddell and TUF winner Rashad Evans. It's very much an old school vs. new school type of card, so, in Mike Goldberg's voice...here's a look at UFC 88, live from Atlanta, Georgia and only...on pay...per...view:

>Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans (205): Evans (16-0-1) has gone from a lackluster draw to a potential champion over the past year and will get his biggest test ever in "The Iceman." For Liddell, he needs to keep the momentum going from his December 2007 win over Wanderlei Silva. Yep, you read that right. Liddell (21-5) hasn't fought since last December due to injuries. Because of that inactivity, our pick is Evans in an upset win.

>Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill (205): Another light-heavy battle, this is a similar fight to the main event in the old guard vs. new guard vein. The former Middleweight Champion Franklin is continuing from his comeback after losing his belt to Anderson Silva, now in the toughest division in the sport.

He will attempt to better his 25-3 mark against Hamill, "the deaf guy" that showed so much promise on TUF. The 5-1 Hamill last was seen dispatching Tim Boetsch in April and will get a big test in Franklin. Our prediction: Franklin will take it. Hey, he was my first favorite fighter, and I can't leave the guy now.

>Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares (185): If there was ever a must-win fight for a guy, this is it for Henderson. Since coming over from PRIDE, the 22-8 Hendo has lost his light-heavy belt to "Rampage" Jackson and then was submitted by Anderson Silva.

He needs this win badly or else face the same "He can't make it in the UFC" tag that dogged Mirko Cro Cop. I don't know anything about Palhares, who has fought once in the UFC, defeating Ivan Salaverry in May. Our pick: Henderson.

Other fights, with predictions:

• 185 - Martin Kampmann (13-1) vs. Nate Marquardt (29-8-2): Marquardt
• 155 - Thiago Tavares (17-2) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (17-3): Pellegrino
• 205 - Tim Boetsch (7-1) vs. Michael Patt (15-2): Boestch
• 170 - Dong Hyun Kim (10-0-1) vs. Matt Brown (9-6): Brown
• 185 - Jason Lambert (23-8) vs. Jason McDonald (21-10): Lambert
• 170 - Roan Carneiro (12-7) vs. Ryan Chonan (?): Carnerio

IN OTHER NEWS

>Notice a fight missing from above? Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida was cancelled today as Parisyan pulled out with a back injury today. Because of the late scratch, no replacement opponent was named for Yoshida. That sucks for him.

>Thiago Silva is out of his Oct. 18 match against Lyoto Machida at UFC 89 with an undisclosed injury. MMAWeekly.com says they've heard Silva has been struggling with a back injury. A replacement is expected to be named soon.

>Sherdog.com will stream Strikeforce's Sept. 20 show from the Playboy Mansion for free. Show starts at 7:30.

>HDNet will air 90 minutes of live coverage on the night of Affliction's PPVs as part of a deal announced this week. It will start at the Oct. 11 card with three prelim. bouts.

>UFC will have over 30 hours of airtime next week on Spike, as they air a marathon of various The Ultimate Fighter shows and fight cards. No specific promotion or anything, but a lot of MMA madness.

Josh Nason started Ropes, Ring and Cage in 2007 and is the main contributor of content for the site. He can be reached at [e-mail].