UFC 88: Old or New?

UFC 88 features a couple of up-and-comers vs. veteran UFC stars.  The main event and co-main event both have former UFC champions trying to make their way back to title bouts but have hungry young talents trying to make a name for themselves.

Chuck Liddell has been UFC’s biggest star for years and is fighting his way back to a championship bout.  His title loss to Quinton Jackson followed by a shocking loss to Keith Jardine has Chuck Liddell at a crossroads.  Standing in his way is a young and hungry Rashad Evans.  A win over UFC’s most famous star could really catapult the undefeated Evans to big things in the UFC.  The main event is an intersting matchup considering both have strong wrestling backgrounds (yes, Chuck Liddell was a collegiate wrestler).  Rashad Evans also wrestled collegiately at Michigan State and both have great striking power.  When it comes to striking though I think we know who has the advantage there.  The question is will Liddell’s hamstring injury hinder his explosive counter striking that he is famous for or could this be another highlight reel knockout for the Iceman?

The co-main event is a strikingly similar bout featuring a UFC star and former champion in Rich Franklin facing off with another young up-and-comer in Matt Hamill.  Hamill, also undefeated (oh, wait he was robbed against the protected Michael Bisping).  Hamill, the 5-1 fighter can also take a huge step forward with a win over the very strong veteran in Rich Franklin.  The two know each other very well.  Both are from Cincinnati, Ohio and are former training partners.  Franklin would have liked not to have to fight Hamill but refused the fight that was proposed to him prior to this matchup because it too was against a good friend.  You can expect an exciting fight here as well with Franklin’s strong striking against a hard to hurt but not hit Matt Hamill.

Could the main event matchups set up two picture perfect knockouts or will the rising stars push the old timers one step closer to an exit from the Octagon?