Penick's Take
Penick's UFC 168 Notebook: Anderson Silva's recovery, classy Rousey, scary Browne, and more
Dec 29, 2013 - 10:55:26 PM Penick's UFC 168 Notebook: Anderson Silva's recovery, classy Rousey, scary Browne, and more

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The way last night's UFC 168 event ended understandably overshadowed everything else that happened on the card, but there was still plenty from the event worth talking about. We'll start tonight with that main event briefly, as a lot has already been touched on regarding the Anderson Silva injury today.

--Silva's recovery prognosis is a lot more optimistic than anyone expected, and though the UFC's statement said three to six months with this injury is typical, that's just to get back to average. To get back to "Anderson Silva" will take more time than that. If he does decide to return and to not let that be the last image we see of him, it's probably not going to be in 2014. Regardless, if he does come back, it will be a huge return fight for the UFC.

--I don't care about "class" when it comes to the personalities of some of the best fighters in this sport. As long as they're not doing anything egregiously bad outside of the cage, and it's a matter of some just not liking the way they act in general, it's irrelevant so long as they're worth watching in the cage. So it is with Ronda Rousey. I don't care if she respects her opponents in or out of the cage, or if she comes off as petulant at times, or if she doesn't want to shake the hand of someone she vehemently dislikes. It doesn't matter. What matters is she's one of the single most thrilling fighters to watch in all of women's MMA, and her title defense over Miesha Tate had such a great atmosphere it lifted what was a one-sided fight. Rousey's on another level, she proved as such, and whether you like her or not, you'll be watching her on February 22 when she fights Sara McMann.

--Travis Browne is scary. That stoppage of Josh Barnett blew me away. He's shown flashes of how good he can be, but it's hampered a bit by the loss to "Bigfoot" Silva and the early minutes of the Overeem fight. At the same time, that came because he tore his quad as well early in the round. Cracking Barnett with a knee as he shot in, then ripping off that series of elbows was just sick, and he's going to be a legitimate challenge for anyone in the heavyweight division. He's smarter than most realize in that cage, and he's got skills in a number areas. If he gets the fight with Werdum, don't be surprised if he winds up as Cain Velasquez's next opponent.

-- Dustin Poirier doled out some fighter justice on Diego Brandao with that first round stoppage. Not only did Brandao miss weight, he allegedly told Poirier he wanted to cut his neck prior to the weigh-in. That type of thing crosses a line, and Poirier was obviously and reasonably upset. With all involved in this weekend, Brandao's lucky to keep his spot on the roster.

-- Chris Leben didn't need to be fighting Uriah Hall this weekend. He didn't need to take that punishment. It's sad to see him in the cage at this point, it just is. He's taken so much damage over the last several years that there has to be serious concern for his future well being. Whether the UFC releases him or not, we don't need to see him in the cage again at this stage. As for Hall, he did what was expected of him for the most part, and got his much needed first UFC win.

It was an eventful send off to 2013 for the UFC, but also a somber and depressing finish. The UFC now enters the new year with two Champions injured and out until late in the year, and two of their biggest, long time stars in Silva and GSP out of commission.