Promoted from the FanPosts by Kid Nate.

It doesn't happen often but every now and then sports embody the purity of competition in almost spiritual ways. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Dan Henderson engaged in one of the most brutal wars I have ever witnessed. And really, that's all that needs to be said.

You can't read a PBP or hear people talk about the fight. It's like the Matrix: you have to be shown it. It's the only way to process it. The fight was almost tragic in its brutality. I felt bad about the punishment both men were taking. I felt bad about myself for being lazy and displaying the pile of gut to prove it.

People will split hairs about what the greatest fight in MMA history is, but there is no fight more brutal than Rua vs. Henderson. And I suspect there never will be. For that, it deserves a unique place in mixed martial arts lore.

For a (wannabe) writer, their performance inspires only cliches. And so I'll skip those except to say bravo you two: if there is a heaven you've earned your spot alongside the gods, with a prime Grace Kelly and Allison Brie by your side for the rest of eternity.

• I'm convinced Dan has three extra layers of epidermis. Seriously, any human being would have been toast during round 4. Unlike Shogun, Dan never seems to get hurt so much as lose his balance, or grow weary. He has a toughness that seems bound by more by physiology than by resolve. It's just incredible. As for Shogun...I mean, what the hell am I supposed to say? His performance stands alongside A Farewell to Arms. 
  
• As for what's next, just give Dan a title shot. Rashad has placed himself in perpetuity, and I don't care. Evans is a really good fighter, but wherever Dan wants to fight for the title, let him have it. As for Shogun, throw him a softball. Softball, thy name is Brandon Vera.
  
• The Silva/Le fight was pretty darn interesting. And it was sort of what I expected. Le trying to keep his distance, but actively so with Wand swarming wherever swarming was warranted. While I don't like to see Wand back up I can't help but suspect he sort of has to fight this way. The guy just isn't built for a full tilt brawl anymore, even though his arms are. However, he took a hard spinning back fist, and the ones you don't see coming are the ones that put you down. Silva recovered well. All in all it was a good performance by both men, but I'm a fan of the sport. And a fan of MMA. And for that, I was happy to see Silva win.
  
• Why doesn't anyone listen to me? Faber has steadily improved, and I thought he carried his improvements over from the Cruz fight to beat Bowles. Brian doesn't respond well to guys that move, and Faber moves. On top of that, you can't stop his transition abilities. The dude knows how to step on the gas from 0 to 60 in any direction, be it from the feet to the ground, ground to feet, or feet to submission. Bowles is quality, but he gets flustered when someone comes at him.