Liddell won some redemption as he defeated Silva

Chuck Liddell marked his comeback with a victory over Wanderlei Silva in a three-round slugfest at UFC 79. AP

Las Vegas -- UFC 79 capped a busy year for the world's top mixed martial arts promotion. The mega-card provided a couple of fighters with the opportunity to redeem themselves after a difficult year while it catapulted other fighters into what could be a bright 2008. So, which fighters came out of UFC 79 looking good and which ones now have more questions to answer? Here are my thoughts with UFC's year-ending card in the books.

Redemption earned

After losing two fights in a row in 2007, Chuck Liddell badly needed a victory over former PRIDE superstar Wanderlei Silva to get back in the hunt for a title shot. In a fight that carried high expectations, somehow Liddell and Silva not only delivered, they even surpassed those expectations.

Fans were treated to a three-round slugfest between two fighters who fought as if they desperately needed to win and who both refused to give in. Liddell showed range in the first and third rounds, staggering Silva a number of times in both rounds. He also showed heart in the second round, surviving a knockdown and a flurry by Silva to end that round. He even unleashed a couple of takedowns in the third round, proving that he is continuing to expand his arsenal. And now, after winning the fight of the year in MMA by unanimous decision, Liddell could be a factor again in the UFC light heavyweight division.

In the interim welterweight title fight between two former champs, Georges St. Pierre showed against Matt Hughes why he is considered one of the best pound-for-pound and one of the best all-around fighters in the world. St. Pierre took this fight on short notice and still dominated Hughes for a second straight time. Much like his last victory over Josh Koscheck, St. Pierre took this fight to the ground and dominated there, winning by submission due to armbar. St. Pierre has now followed up his stunning loss to Matt Serra earlier this year with two very convincing victories. When St. Pierre faces Serra in 2008 for the undisputed title, he will have an opportunity to complete his journey back to the top.

First impressions don't quite live up to expectations

On a night in which UFC newcomers Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Soa Palelei couldn't deliver the fireworks the UFC had hoped they would (and in fact, both lost), Silva tried his best to deliver in his (re-)introduction to UFC fans. While the loss to Liddell is Silva's third loss in a row, the Brazilian showed the standing, cheering, stomping, chanting, flashbulb-popping crowd enough resilience and courage to give them hope that he may have at least a little something left in the tank. And, who knows, maybe we will see Liddell-Silva II to end 2008.

1 of 2