The UFC is once again airing a portion of the under card for free on Spike TV before the PPV so all of the uninitiated can get a glimpse of MMA. So under card guys – if you could not suck or be boring that would be great.
The PPV schedule is:
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson Vs. Yoshiyuki “Zenko” Yoshida (170 Welterweight)
Joe “Daddy” Stevenson Vs. Spencer “King” Fisher (155 Lightweight)
Gleison Tibau Vs. Josh “The Dentist” Neer (155)
Cain Velasquez Vs. Ben Rothwell (206-265 Heavyweight)
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida Vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (205 Light Heavyweight Championship)
Anthony Johnson Vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Johnson is regarded by many as the future of the division. He’s a very large welterweight (6′ 2″) who cuts up to 30lbs to make 170. Let’s hope he can make weight. Yoshida is a delicious teriyaki sauce. Also, he’s a judoka with some good submission skills. His only loss is to Josh Koscheck by a vicious KO. I’ve got to root for the judoka, but I think that “Rumble” has the striking advantage and the wrestling ability to take the fight wherever he wants it. Johnson by KO.
Joe Stevenson Vs. Spencer Fisher
Stevenson’s only losses at lightweight are against BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, and Diego Sanchez. Fisher is coming into the bout on a 3 fight win streak. I think that this is going to be a boxing match. Fisher loves to stand and trade, and Stevenson has appeared to fall in love with that style as well recently – to his detriment. If the fight stays standing it will be a victory for Fisher. If Stevenson takes the fight to the ground (as he should) and can use his jiu jitsu he can make Fisher tap. This one could go either way.
Gleison Tibau Vs. Josh Neer
Tibau is a Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist and Neer has a stupid nickname. Neer is something of a gatekeeper at 155 and is coming in as a late injury replacement for Sean Sherk. He is known for going the distance in most of his fights. So, unless he gets submitted by Tibau I predict this fight goes to a decision. Personally, I don’t think this fight should even be featured on the main card. “I want my two dollars!”
Cain Velasquez Vs. Ben Rothwell
Neither of these fighters have nicknames. Velasquez does have “Brown Pride” tattooed on his chest though. Rothwell looks like the Pillsbury Doughboy, so I’m gonna call him “Lunchbox”. That or “Chunky Trunks”. Let’s see some votes in the comments. Look for Velasquez to take down Rothwell early and often. Cain wins this fight by unleashing some ground & pound.
Lyoto Machida Vs. Mauricio Rua
Two contrasting styles – Machida is a patient counter-fighter and Rua is a balls to the wall, throw everything at you striker. I’m excited to see these two go at it. Rua needs to try to get Machida on the ground and negate his elusiveness on his feet. If this fight stays standing it will end either with a highlight reel KO or a 5 round decision. Personally I think this is going to be the fight of the night. I’m gonna say this fight will go to Machida the magic pee drinker, the first fighter to successfully defend the Light Heavyweight crown since Rampage Jackson did in September of ’07.
“My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!”