Many people are up in arms about the way the Championship bout was decided at UFC 90, but is putting the blame squarely on Anderson Silva fair?

Not one bit.  Let's take a look at the fight...

Anderson Silva has routinely been a "slow starter."  Rushing in and unloading on his opponent has never been an avenue he has followed.  Silva much prefers to learn his opponents timing, to see what they are capable of, and then to strike when the opportunities present themselves.  This match was no different.

On repeat viewings of this match, it is plainly obvious that Patrick Cote fought this match to not get knocked out.  Even worse than fighting not to lose.  His post fight comments about being the first person to make it to round three paint the picture about his intentions firmly.  Let's dig deeper though.  During the fight Patrick Cote moved forward, but when moving forward he rarely was in striking distance with his hands.  Cote did his best to stay out of danger, but he had no offense to speak of.  And when Anderson moved forward, Cote did his best to get out of the way.  Let's look at the actual numbers though.

According to Fight Metric Anderson Silva put up an accuracy rating of 63% or 18 out of 29 shots.  Cote landed a measly 17% or 5 out of 29.  To land many of these shots, Anderson Silva had to dart in from outside striking distance.  Anderson also landed a takedown and defended a couple take downs to put a stamp on the domination.

Realistically, it isn't entirely Patrick Cote's fault.  It is all of our faults as well, the fans.  We put Anderson Silva far too high.  Anything less than a dominant performance concluded by a KO is a disappointment for most of us (All 8 of his fights in the UFC have been finishes).  Anderson was already putting in a fantastic performance, but it's not enough for us apparently.

Everyone owes Anderson Silva an apology and first in line should be Patrick Cote.

Headlining UFC 85 is the match between Matt Hughes and Thiago Alves.  We have Matt Hughes on one side attempting to prove to the world he is still a tier 1 fighter.  We have Thiago Alves in the other corner attempting to beat a former champion and prove he is ready to fight for the title.

Thiago Alves is a 24 year old American Top Team prospect with a five victory win streak, four by way of KO/TKO (albeit one was a cut against Chris Lytle).  He has decent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and some devastating striking ability.

Matt Hughes held the belt longer than any other champion at 170, and his place in MMA history is a lock.  Matt Hughes' problem is that the game of MMA has changed dramatically in the last few years.  The dominant wrestler with no other abilities is nearly extinct, and Hughes is one of the last left.  His age is a non-issue.  Anderson Silva is two years younger, and Randy Couture is 10 years older.   Matt Hughes' fights in the last two years have not been the dominant Hughes of old.  Instead he has been destroyed twice by GSP, won a lackluster fight against Chris Lytle, won luckily against Penn when his body broke down, and to finish out '06 won a fight against an ancient Royce Gracie.

Hughes Recipe for Victory: Take this fight to the ground and force Alves to fight off of his back.

Thiago Recipe for Victory: Stuff the takedowns and exploit Hughes' non-existent striking ability.

And the latter is exactly what's going to happen.  Could Hughes win this?  Possibly.  However, it is not likely.  Ricardo Liborio and American Top Team are going to put a camp together to keep this fight on the feet.  Hughes will probably get a takedown or two, but his fight against Chris Lytle was very telling about his ability to end fights these days.  And with at least three stand ups in this fight, the outlook for Hughes is bleak.

Thiago Alves by KO or TKO in the second round.

Without a doubt this will be the biggest test of Jacare's young MMA career.  Mayhem is a tough, scrappy kid who has been in this game for a while, around seven years to be exact.  Ronaldo Jacare has fought relative unknowns in his dominant wins, and Jason Miller has fought big names in George St. Pierre (decision loss), Frank Trigg (TKO loss), Denis Kang (RNC win), and Robbie Lawler (Arm Triangle, win).

Stylistically, however, this is a bad match up for Mayhem.  Miller is a fighter who dominates his opponents positionally, and submits them as most of his wins go.  Unfortunately this is where Jacare not only shines as well, but excels.  Jacare is a 2x open weight class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mundials champion as well as an ADCC champion.  Jacare has world class takedowns to match with his heavy, powerful Jiu Jitsu top game.  Jacare's grappling is tailor made for MMA.

What we have not yet seen from Jacare is his ability to strike (his first fight was a long time ago), and it is doubtful we'll see it again in this match.  To defeat Jacare, Mayhem needs to defend the takedown and punish Jacare with his striking ability.

Can Jason "Mayhem" Miller accomplish that in my opinion?

Not a chance. 

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza wins by TKO or submission in round 1, from the mount or back.