Bring out the big boys! Not only do we have the Heavyweight Championship on the line this weekend, but we also have a #1 contenders match co-headlining. It's a fight card that is sure to entertain. Joining the big boys will be a slugfest between two Light Heavyweights who have a combined 22 T/KO's in their 36 wins. Before we get to all the hard face punching we have two Lightweight fights that will have big implications on the division, potentially the next contender for Benson Hendersons belt. So lets get right to it.
Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (#4) 2 (Heavyweight Championship)
The first fight wasn't really much of a struggle for Velasquez as he left Bigfoot a bloody mess in the middle of the ring in just over 3 and a half minutes. Since then Velasquez has reclaimed his belt and Bigfoot has shocked the world with a KO of Alistair Overeem. So has Bigfoot improved enough since last time to shock the world again? No. Simply no.
Silva is way to slow to compete with the lighter more nimble fighters in the division. His last three losses have come to guys under 250 lbs (Velasquez, Cormier and Werdum). It's about to be four. Velasquez will use is speed and ability to control where the fight goes to have Bigfoot constantly guessing. Much like the first fight it will end with Silva on his back and Cain on top, punching away.
Cain Velasquez via TKO Round 1
Junior Dos Santos (#1) vs. Mark Hunt (#9)
If you had asked anybody 3 years ago where Mark Hunts future lay, they would have said retirement. He had just come off a loss to Sean McCorkle, his 6th loss in a row and people were questioning whether he could continue. 4 fights and 4 wins later and here he is with a chance to get his first shot at a UFC belt.
Standing in his way is former champ JDS. I think it would be an understatement to say both men like to bang. I could almost guarantee this fight stays standing and I could almost guarantee that it ends in some form of KO.
The way I see this fight playing out is JDS establishing his jab early, using distance to not get hit and as long as he doesn't get caught he should find a way to land that big punch. I am already prepping for JDS vs. Velasquez III.
Junior Dos Santos via TKO Round 2
Glover Teixiera (#4) vs. James Te Huna
Another fight that could very well be a preview of a future championship contender. Both fighters stocks have risen greatly in the last couple years and with Jon Jones getting close to cleaning out the Light Heavyweight division a new contender is needed. Both men are pretty fun to watch and love to swing for the fences.
Teixiera's debut in the UFC took far too long due to some visa issues, and at the time was regarded as one of, if not the best 205er not fighting in the UFC. In his 3 fights for the big organization he has looked good. His striking is incredible and should be for a guy training with former champion Chuck Liddell. Te Huna isn't a chump either. He has probably better one punch power and a granite chin. Which may prove a difference maker in this fight.
Teixiera has made some mistakes and taken some shots in fights he is clearly winning. In this fight he needs to be the smarter fighter. If he can dictate the pace of this fight and where it goes using his wrestling, he should have no troubles. If he starts to bang and gets too wild....it'll be lights out....and quick.
Glover Teixiera via Submission Round 3
Gray Maynard (#3) vs TJ Grant (#5)
This card is full of meaningful fights and that may overshadow this one. Don't let this one fool you though. I won't say it's going to be the most exciting fight on the card but it too has big implications on the Lightweight division. The winner could possibly be the next challenger for Benson Henderson and his Lightweight title.
This is a really big fight for both guys. For Maynard this could be the last chance he gets at being a #1 contender again and for Grant this is the chance to solidify himself as a top 5 Lightweight. Maynard has to be the favourite on this one due to his superior wrestling and Grants struggles with dominant top fighters. For some reason though I like the Canadian. His last fight against Matt Wiman ended in devastating fashion and I hope we see it again.
I don't like this pick but I am going with it.
TJ Grant via Split Decision
Donald Cerrone (#6) vs. KJ Noons
Both these fighters have been on the cusp of greatness, and both have faltered whenever the stakes got high. Noons in a 4 fight stretch lost a fight for the Strikeforce Welterweight title and two Lightweight title eliminator fights. Cerrone lost to Henderson, Diaz and Pettis in what were #1 contender matches. Both bring great striking and exciting fights though.
The trick to this fight is going to be how aggressive Noons is. Cerrone has broken down when he gets beat in the standup department. If Noons pulls the usual technical fight with lots of feints but nothing of substance Cerrone will hack away with kicks all night. This is my secret pick for fight of the night....pending both guys actually want to be in that kind of fight.
Donald Cerrone via TKO Round 3
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