We're just a few hours away from Anderson Silva's 205-pound debut against James "The Sandman" Irvin on SpikeTV, and as always BloodyElbow.com will be here bringing you live results and reactions.

As is customary 'round these parts, I won't be posting about any unaired prelims unless they make their way onto the televised card, so please refrain from spoilers when commenting as well. (If you'd like to know the undercard results, hit up Sherdog's play-by-play.)

If you're just counting down the minutes until the show starts, be sure to check the BloodyElbow.com staff predictions for tonight's event, the weigh-in results and video from yesterday, and Mike Fagan's killer gambling breakdown.

I'll see you back here at 9:00 PM EST / 6:00 PM PDT for the start of the telecast...

And we're back. 10 minutes 'til showtime. One more small request: please, please no Affliction talk in the comments. Lots of folks aren't able to watch both shows at once (myself included) and are planning on watching the replay later, so it's appreciated. Goldberg and Rogan just did a little live promo during the commercials for Ultimate Knockouts 5 - Joe's already rolling his eyes at Goldie, who's looking exceptionally Vegas tonight.

Some mid-level trash talk from the main eventers, the dusty gladiator man, an extended mix of "Face The Pain" (to accomodate all the fighters' intros) and we're off. Nate Loughran has at least three fans in the place, with matching "NATE LOUGHRAN" t-shirts even. They're using some flashy new graphics for the transitions. Kinda reminds me of FOX Sports. I like.

Jesse Taylor vs. C.B. Dollaway

Nice video package for these guys, but no walk-outs. Taylor's Team Quest homie Sokoudjou is in his corner.

Round 1: Taylor rushes in with a sloppy right and falls to his back, possibly slipping on a shot. Jesse's got C.B. up against the cage, a little dirty boxing and some nice positioning. C.B. trips him up and takes top position, but Jesse reverses and they almost work their way back up to the feet against the side of the Octagon when C.B. lands an illegal knee to Jesse's head. Taylor was shooting and clearly had both knees flat on the ground. Referee Yves Lavigne warns Dollaway he'll be DQ'ed next time. Taylor says he's ready to go but still looks a little foggy. They restart and Taylor shoots, but C.B. has a tremendous sprawl. C.B. takes Jesse's back. This looks bad. Dollaway's corner is screaming "Dan Severn!" But Jesse escapes! Nice reversal and he's got C.B. in a front guillotine. Finally he wrestles Dollaway down. Taylor's raining down some solid shots from full guard and crushing Dollaway's throat with his free hand. Now C.B. quickly escapes and has Jesse's back again! He loops his right arm and leg over Taylor's head, then locks in a Peruvian necktie! It's beautiful and very, very tight. Taylor has no choice but to tap.

C.B. Dollaway def. Jesse Taylor via Submission (Peruvian Necktie), R1 - 3:58

Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson

Apparently Kevin Burns' nickname is "The Fire" now? Bleh.

Round 1: The fighters exchange leg kicks and for a moment it looks like Burns will trade with Johnson, and even lands a decent right. Now he locks Johnson up in the clinch, thowing some nice knees to "Rumble's" midsection. They disengage and Burns is throwing with Johnson again. Not only that, but he's connecting with solid shots and Johnson looks hurt. Now Johnson grazes Burns with a low left kick and Burns needs a moment to compose himself. They're back at it within 30 seconds and it looks like Burns may have accidentally poked Johnson in the eye with a looping punch. Johnson takes him down and lands in Burns' full guard. Johnson isn't doing much, staying tight to Burns, who's landing plenty of shots from the bottom but without much behind them. Steve Mazzagatti stands it up. 20 seconds left. Both guys land with some wild swings but neither seem fazed. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Burns.

Round 2: Burns is looking far fresher and lighter on his feet as round two starts. Burns pushes the action, pushing in on Johnson who unloads with a left that sends Burns backpedaling into the cage. Johnson comes in with a flying knee on the rebound but it doesn't land flush. It looks like Burns caught Johnson in the eye again but Mazzagatt doesn't stop it, just warns Burns as the action keeps going. Solid right head kick from Burns but Johnson just eats it. These guys are both hitting hard and neither is going down. Johnson shoots a double and takes burns down again, and again he's in full guard. Burns working for a kimura. Now Johnson unloading with left hands and elbows from the guard. Mazzagatti stands 'em up again with 20 seconds left and warns Burns to "keep your hands closed on that jab, okay?" Johnson catches a leg kick from Burns and scores one more take down as the round expires. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Johnson.

Round 3: This should be the deciding round, and after a minute both fighters seem to want to keep it on the feet. And just as I write that, Johnson scores yet another takedown. Again he's inside Burns' full guard and laying down, not doing anything. Burns is still landing more from the bottom. Mazzagatti stands it up, but as soon as they're up Johnson's shooting and has Burns on his back again. Burns keeping his feet on the cage, pushing away and looking for an armbar. They're stood up again. Burns lands an uppercut and Johnson hits the ground face-down, screaming and writhing in agony. Mazzagatti waves it off. The replay clearly shows a finger on Burns' left hand going into Johnson's right eye as he sets up the uppercut with a jab. OUCH. The uppercut barely grazed Johnson.  They go to a commercial, and when they come back...

Kevin Burns def. Anthony Johnson via TKO (Strikes), R3 - 3:35

Even Burns can't believe it. This is absolute nonsense, and Rogan says as much in his post-fight interview with Johnson, who is incredibly gracious in defeat. This should be a DQ win for him and he doesn't even seem fazed. In fairness, Burns did beat him up, but I'd be pretty pissed at Mazzagatti right now if I were Anthony Johnson.

Jake O'Brien vs. Cain Velasquez

Round 1: Velasquez tags O'Brien straight away with a right-left combo, then catches him with a knee to the body as O'Brien stumbles forward. Cain takes Jake down with a whizzer and looks much bigger than O'Brien as he controls him easily on the floor. Side control for Velasquez now. O'Brien's left arm between Cain's legs, now Cain leans on his right for the crucifix. Heavy, heavy right hands landing on Jake's head, which is flat on the canvas. Cain is pounding away, I can't believe O'Brien is still conscious. I think O'Brien just went to sleep and was woken back up by the next shot. This needs to be stopped, and finally it is. Very impressive win for Velasquez, who is now 4-0 and 2-0 in the UFC.

Cain Velasquez def. Jake O'Brien via TKO, R1 - 2:02

Frankie Edgar vs. Hermes Franca

"As soon as he feels my power, he gonna think twice, 'oh man, what I'm doing here?" The Brazilian seems more than confident in the video intros, and assures us we will see "the great Hermes Franca" this evening.

Round 1: Edgar takes Franca down immediately and lands in the BJJ black belt's guard. Now Edgar stands, holding on to Franca's legs to avoid his nasty upkicks. Frankie passing the legs nicely and moving down to rain down shots at will. Frankie tries to posture up one too many times and Hermes holds on to his left arm and extends for the armbar! This might be over. But Frankie escapes! Now Edgar back in Franca's guard momentarily, and they're back to the feet. Edgar showing good angles and landing with Franca backed up against the cage. Another takedown for Edgar with about 1:00 remaining. Franca has a big mouse in the center of his forehead, looks like a third eye. Edgar pounds away to finish the round. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Edgar.

Round 2: Frankie landing some good looking combinations in the 30 seconds, then takes Hermes down again. Edgar is in Franca's guard, and Franca is controlling his right wrist/arm, but Edgar is still posturing and landing punishing lefts. Hermes is neutralizing Edgar's strikes for the most part, so Edgar continues to stand up when it suits him. He grabs a leg as Franca upkicks, rolls him over and takes Hermes' back with about 2:00 left. Franca turles and rolls to his left, and now Edgar's back in his guard. Edgar's corner warns him Franca is looking for a triangle, but it looks like Frankie has this under control. Edgar stands again and Hermes scrambles and shoots this time, but Frankie's not having it. Franca's looking beat up as Edgar shoots a single-leg and takes him down one more time. Frankie shoulder shrugs Hermes' head into the canvas, a punctuation mark as the round ended. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Edgar.

Round 3: Franca with an uppercut as the round begins, it buckles Edgar's legs a little and Frankie tries for the takedown. This time Franca resists. Solid knee from Franca as Edgar shoots again, but this doesn't seem to affect him as much. Now another takedown from Edgar, but Franca gets back to his feet quickly. Grazing left head kick from Edgar as they stand. Yet another takedown, Franca's got his legs against the cage trying to set anything up here. Edgar keeps allowing Franca up and taking him back down at will, punishing him with knees to the body on the ground and punches when they stand. 1:00 left and it looks like this is going to the cards. Edgar keeps pushing, now he's landing cleaner shots from guard. They stand up with :40 left. Franca lands 3 or 4 winging shots in quick succession, then a crisp knee that buckles Edgar's legs again! Edgar is bleeding as he takes Franca down again. It looks like he'll survive. And he does. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Edgar.

Bloody Elbow scores the fight 30-27 for Frankie Edgar.

Frankie Edgar def. Hermes Franca via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x 3)

Reese Andy vs. Brandon Vera

Reese Andy enters to "Mama Said Knock You Out" and gets daps from Mazzagatti as he stands in his corner. Just as I'm thinking "LL Cool J is pretty lame entrance music," Brandon Vera comes rolling out to the strains of the Black Eyed Peas. Paul Pierce is in the house. Go Celts.

Round 1: Vera throws a couple grazing head kicks to open the match, then Andy shoots a double and takes him down with ease. Vera works back up to the feet and lands a good knee from the clinch. Andy literally ducks under a spinning kick from Vera, who towers above the former IFL'er. Vera's next kick puts Andy on his ass, but Vera's got no plans to go to the ground. They're back standing. They lock up and now Andy controls Vera's posture against the cage. Big reversal and takedown by Vera this time. Andy looks like he'll have trouble escaping from underneath Vera. Now Vera eases up and tands, and Andy follows cautiously. More jabs and kicks from Vera. Andy looks bewildered in the striking game and shoots again, but Vera sprawls and the round runs out. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Vera.

Round 2: Andy wades in and tries to lock up with Vera, but when Vera tries for the takedown, Andy thinks better of it and backs out. Now Vera wrestles Andy down. Andy's got his back to the cage, butt on the floor with Vera controlling his left side. They stand again. Andy with a little dirty boxing as they lock up again. 2:00 left and they're not doing much on the feet, standing a good distance apart and just feinting. It seems like Vera know he's ahead and doesn't want to rush in, and Andy can't figure out a way to deal with the range. The round ends in a stalemate. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Vera.

Round 3: More of the same to open the final stanza. Andy locks Vera up against the cage again and shoots some left knees to the inside of Vera's leg, but he needs more than knees right now. Mazzagatti breaks it up. 3:00 left. They're clinched against the fence again, Vera controlling now. Despite Vera's weight drop, this is still looking like a heavyweight bout. Both guys look exhausted now and Andy lunges forward with wild haymakers as the last minute ticks away. One last clinch with Andy's back to the fence and a few knees from Vera wrap this one up. Bloody Elbow scores the round 10-9 Vera.

Bloody Elbow scores the fight 30-27 for Brandon Vera.

Brandon Vera def. Reese Andy via Unanimous Decision (29-28 and 30-27 x2)

The 29-28 came from (who else?) Glenn Trowbridge.

In the post-fight, Vera says the cut to 205 was hard and accounted for his decreased stamina in the fight. Also: "Fans, listen up. You know, my brother Rampage is going through some hard times. Make sure you guys show him some love, show him some support, go to his website. And Rampage - when I get done and get back home, I'll give you a call, we'll go on vacation somewhere. I love you, brother."

Okay, that one made me wish I was watching Affliction. Let's hope the main event can send this out in style. Goldberg is so excited about this fight that he's stumbling over his words and making weird gurgling sounds.

James Irvin vs. Anderson Silva

Does anyone really think Anderson picked DMX' "No Sunshine" as his entrance music? I could see him with some baile funk or samba. Anyyway, the champ looks good, very solid and composed, while Irvin seems a little nervous, keeps glancing up at the screens. Usher and Paul Pierce are rooting for "The Spider." Ubuntu! Mario Yamasaki is our ref.

Round 1: Irvin misses with a high kick, Silva's throwing kicks of his own but low. They're feeling it out for the opening minute. Irvin throws a high outside leg kick with his left, Silva catches it and counters with a HARD right straight that puts Irvin down. Anderson stands over the prone Irvin, who's on his side, and pounds him out with brutal, brutal right hands. Magnificent stuff, and it only took him a little over a minute. Wow. Just wow. James Irvin is leaking Kool-Aid all over the place and still can't get up.

Anderson Silva def. James Irvin via KO (Punch), R1 - 1:01

Silva kneels on the ground before a standing Irvin after the decision is announced. Irvin looks miffed, uncomfortable, or distraught. Probably all three - he was talking a lot of noise before this fight and all he has to show for it is a gaping wound under his right eye. Speaking to Rogan (via Ed Soares, of course), Silva says he'll now move back to 185 to defend his title but is open to "big fights" at 205 in the future.

Brodie Farber vs. Rory Markham

A little prelim action, everyone say thanks to Mr. Spider...

Round 1: Markham moving in and landing crisp punches at will in the opening minute, but he's got Farber's range (if not his power) to think about. Now Farber turns the tables, cracking Rory with some right hooks that send him backpedaling. Farber clinches and puts Markham against the fence, sneaks a knee through and Rory's back running. A couple more hard shots from Farber, stalking Markham down now. After unraveling a little distance, Markham plants his feet and catches Farber rushing in with his hands down, then punches Brodie's ticket with one of the nastiest right high kicks I've seen in a long time. Right on the ear and Farber is out cold with his legs stiff and arms stretched wide open. It's vicious stuff, and definitely the memorable UFC debut that Markham needed.

Rory Markham def. Brodie Farber via KO (Head Kick), R1 - 1:36

Well, that'll do it. Not a bad little night of fights on short notice, and for free. Now everyone go watch Affliction... by whatever means necessary.

Last thought: I obviously haven't seen the Fedor/Sylvia fight yet, but does this win erase any doubts about Anderson Silva being the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world? Granted Irvin isn't top-shelf competition at 205, but he's still proven to be dangerous and Silva absolutely walked through him.