#10 - Maiquel Falcão vs Alessio Sakara - UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann
This fight is an excellent addition to the UFC on Versus televised card. It features two excellent strikers, Alessio Sakara and Maiquel Falcão. Falcão, coming off his impressive yet controversial defeat of Gerald Harris, is most likely looking to put Sakara away quickly to raise his stock. I, myself, was impressed with his hand speed, power, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Sakara, on the other hand, hasn't fought since March of 2010 when he stopped James Irvin. I want to see how he looks after a long layoff, but I believe his boxing can be the difference.
#9 Phil Davis vs Matt Hamill - UFC 129
This fight features two highly-regarded wrestlers, who have been on recent winning streaks. Phil Davis, an All American wrestler from Penn State, has been on a tear in his campaign in the Octagon. Davis impressively shut down Brian Stann, submitted Alexander Gustaffson, decisioned Rodney Wallace, and recently submitted Tim Boetsch for his first submission of the night. His opponent, Matt Hamill, has winning streak going in his favor dating back to UFC 92 when he defeated Reese Andy by tko, Mark Munoz by a vicious headkick, defeating Jon Jones by DQ, beating Keith Jardine by Majority Decision, and finally beating down Tito Ortiz to a unanimous Decision. Will this fight be determined by who has the better wrestling, or will that wrestling cancel out and we will be delighted with a standup battle? Only Time will tell.
#8 Mark Bocek vs Ben Henderson - UFC 129
This fight is an underrated gem, a diamond in the rough, if you will. Mark Bocek recently proclaimed that he has the best Jiu Jitsu in the Lightweight Division and wanted to face George Sotiropolous to test that title. In my opinion, he has his hands full with the former WEC champion Ben "Smooth" Henderson, who is coming off the second defeat of his career to Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. I think this fight has the capability of being Fight Of The Night.
#7 Thiago Alves vs Rick Story - UFC 130
This fight has the potential for major fireworks. Rick Story, an explosive wrestler with Dynamite in his hands, looks to keep his five fight winning streak intact at UFC 130 when he faces the always Dangerous Muay Thai wrecking Machine, Thiago Alves. This fight has much meaning to it, in that the winner solidifies himself as a top contender potentially challenging for Georges St. Pierre's crown, the Welterweight Title.
#6 Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs Thiago Silva - UFC 130
This fight feature two highly touted Light Heavyweight fighters, Thiago Silva and Rampage Jackson. This fight has the ingredients for an absolute war, ensuring that it will most likely not reach a decision. Rampage, coming off a split decision victory of Lyoto Machida, will face Thiago Silva, coming off a beatdown of Brandon Vera.
#5 Georges St. Pierre vs Jake Shields- UFC 129
The fight for the title of the best welterweight in the world will commence at UFC 129, when Georges St. Pierre takes on Jake Shields. This matchup is very intriguing. Jake Shields is coming off a Split Decision victory over Martin Kampmann. That fight showed that his cardio was affected from the weight cut to 170. Nevertheless, Shields still proved that he is a dominant grappler and has excellent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Georges St. Pierre, on the other hand, is coming off a dominant Unanimous Decision victory over Josh Koscheck at UFC 124. That fight just showed to so many how well rounded he can be, effectively using his jab to swell Koscheck's eye out very badly.
#4 Clay Guida vs Anthony Pettis - UFC 130 or 131
This fight is destined for greatness. Clay Guida, who is on a three fight win streak, will face Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. Clay Guida, always entertaining and absorbing us with his brilliant attacking maneuvers and wild hair, has his hands full with the last WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. Anthony Pettis, fresh off his unanimous decision win of Ben Henderson and amazing kick off the cage, will wade into new waters in the UFC. FOTN Potential right here.
#3 Brock Lesnar vs Junior Dos Santos- UFC 131
We were recently given the details of The Ultimate Fighter Season 13 coaches and they are quite intriguing. Brock Lesnar, the former Heavyweight Champion and fresh off a loss to Cain Velasquez, will meet Junior Dos Santos to determine who will fight Cain next. This fight will prove many things that so many have been wondering. Can Junior stop a takedown from Brock? Can he use his BJJ to get back up or create a situation for a submission? Is Brock really focused on fighting? Can Brock sustain any punishment that Junior will surely throw at him? These will be answered in early June.
#2 Randy Couture vs Lyoto Machida- UFC 129
This fight has the makings of an instant classic. Two spectacular technicians will face off in Toronto at UFC 129. Randy "The Natural" Couture will face Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida. Randy is coming off of three consecutive wins against Brandon Vera, Mark Coleman, and James Toney. Lyoto is coming off two consecutive losses, losing the Lightheavyweight championship to Mauricio "Shogun"Rua and Rampage Jackson. What makes this fight so intriguing is what fighters will we see in that Octagon. Will Couture immediately go for the clinch and pummel away or will we see an aggressive Machida? Time will tell.
#1 Rashad Evans vs Mauricio "Shogun" Rua - UFC 128
This fight features the two top Light heavyweight fighters in action. Shogun will defend his crown for the first time against Rashad Evans, thirsting to once again hold the title. This fight means so much for the division. Stylistically, this fight will prove many things about both fighters. Rashad is a fantastic wrestler while Shogun is a fantastic Striker with an excellent BJJ game. I really can't wait to see how this fight pans out.
This list is opinion based.
~Stay Thirsty My Friends
z.z
I'm really excited for the Mr. Wonderful fight. For me, he is very similar to the Jon Jones mould. Not as flashy, but a fighter who doesn't look like he is going to lose any time soon. If Phil managed to get in a couple more fights before Jones fights for the title I would love to see those two go at it. However, I am willing to wait for the title to be on the line.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of the Evans/Shogun fight, I just can't buy into any of the Evans hype. I just don't see him as that good of an mma fighter. He hits hard, very hard, but I believe he won the Forrest fight due to Forrest's extremely lazy guard, whilst he won the 'page fight due to a boring smothering top control and an out of shape 'page. I can't see how Shogun loses this one due to his superior stand-up and aggressive bjj.
I agree with Mr. Wonderful. The guy has improved so much since the first time he fought in the UFC when he defeated Brian Stann.
ReplyDeleteI honestly have to disagree with the Evans thing. Rashad is a great fighter and has multiple weapons at his disposal. He has an excellent wrestling game and that will be the difference in the fight. Shogun definitely has more ways to finish, but Evans' wrestling can give him the edge. I'm still not sold on Shogun post-surgeries. Mark Coleman took him down and stayed in that fight. I hope Shogun can bring excellent cardio into this fight because he may just need that.
Can you recommend a fight where Rashad has used his wrestling to great effect? Not to cause an argument, but I genuinely am not sure of a fight where he has used it. By all means he may have done so in the fights I have seen, but due to the lack of wrestling knowledge in the UK I may have missed out on the subtleties in his performance.
ReplyDeleteWell, check out his fight with Thiago Silva or Bisping, if I recall correctly.
ReplyDeleteAlso his fight with Rampage.
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