Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans beat Thiago Silva by unanimous decision at UFC 108 last night in Las Vegas, bouncing back from his only professional loss.

Evans (19-1-1) used his superior wrestling skills to control the bout through the first two rounds, then survived the third round after nearly being knocked out by a straight right from Silva (14-2). All three judges scored the bout 29-28.

Evans lost his light heavyweight title to Lyoto Machida in his previous fight.

On the undercard, British fighter Paul Daley floored Dustin Hazelett with a counter left hook and pounced on his downed opponent, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:24 of the first round.

Sam Stout also looked impressive in a unanimous decision victory over Joe Lauzon on the undercard. Jim Miller secured an arm bar, forcing Duane Ludwig to quit and heavyweight Junior Dos Santos continued his rise up the UFC ranks with a first-round TKO against veteran fighter Gilbert Yvel.

BLUES FIRE COACH

The worst home record in the NHL led to the end of Andy Murray's tenure as St. Louis Blues coach.

The franchise replaced the 58-year-old Murray yesterday, hoping a younger man can better motivate a youthful roster that has underachieved. Davis Payne, coach of the Blues' AHL affiliate in Peoria, was appointed interim head coach and was to coach St. Louis at home last night against Chicago.

U.S. IN JUNIOR SEMIS

Jerry D'Amigo scored two goals, and Mike Lee made 23 saves to help the United States beat Finland, 6-2, last night for a spot in the world junior semifinals at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The United States will face Sweden in the second semifinal tonight. Five-time defending champion Canada will play Switzerland in the first semifinal. Switzerland beat Russia, 3-2, in overtime in the first quarterfinal.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

American snowboarder Kevin Pearce was in critical condition yesterday at the University of Utah hospital after suffering a "severe, traumatic brain injury" in a training accident Thursday, one of his doctors said. ... Rafael Nadal defeated Robin Soderling, 7-6 (3), 7-5, yesterday in the final of the season-opening Capitala exhibition tournament at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.