This Satuday's UFC even in Las Vegas will not only feature the return of many fighters to the octagon, but also looks to be one of the most stacked fight cards in early 2011.
Among the action there will be a title match, a bout between legends, a contest between two future champions, and the debut of a Japanese super star.
Middleweight Championship bout:
Anderson “The Spider” Silva (c) (27-4) vs. Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (19-8)
Winner: Silva by decision
This match has been almost 18 months in the making, ever since Belfort knocked out Rich Franklin and earned the right to face Silva for the title. After injuries, failed drug tests (not by either fighter), and suspensions, the long awaited match between these two will take place.
Both Silva and Belfort are regarded as great strikers in MMA, however Silva is hard to hit and if Belfort is not careful, not only will his shots miss the champion, but Silva may come back with a good left and get the knock out. However, I expect the champion to keep Belfort’s striking neutralized and, if all else fails, pull something out of his bag of tricks that will help him keep the title.
Light Heavyweight bout:
Forrest Griffin (17-6) vs. Rich “Ace” Franklin (28-5 1NC)
Winner: Franklin by KO
Griffin and Franklin have a lot of in common. They are former UFC champions, they have beaten the best and they have been beaten by the best. Still Franklin has more wins coming into this fight, his most recent a KO victory over Chuck Liddell with a broken forearm. Griffin has also been away from the octagon since 2009 and that could be a disadvantage for him.
This fight has the potential to be one of the best bouts in 2011, however I think Franklin will do a repeat of a KO, similar to the one he had over Liddell.
Light Heavyweight bout:
Jon “Bones” Jones (11-1) vs. Ryan “Darth” Bader (12-0)
Winner: Bader by decision
If Franklin and Griffin are the past of the UFC, then Bader and Jones are the future of the UFC. Here are two rising stars in the UFC, Jones, who was voted “Breakout Fighter of the Year” and Bader, winner of the Ultimate Fighter 8. Both of these men have a couple of big wins to their credit.
However, where Jones is known for his punching, Bader has been known to fight defensively, and counter striking, as he did in his last fight with Nogueira. Still, I would be surprised if this fight did not go to a decision. I would be much more surprised if this bout did not win Fight of the Night Honors.
Welterweight bout:
Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger (23-5) vs. Carlos Eduardo “Ta Danado” Rocha (9-0)
Winner: Ellenberger by decision
Ellenberger will be looking to ruin Rocha’s MMA debut in the United States. Rocha may be undefeated but Ellenberger has three more years experience.
One advantage to Rocha is that he ranks higher in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu than Ellenberger. Still Ellenberger’s punching power will be the difference in this fight.
Bantamweight bout:
Miguel Torres (38-3) vs. Antonio Banuelos (18-6)
Winner: Banuelos by KO
Both of these WEC veterans will be making their UFC debut this evening, but Banuelos, despite not being a former bantamweight champion or having half as many wins as Torres, will pull off the upset of the night.
Torres will go down in round 2.
Preliminary card
Lightweight bout:
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (13-3 1NC) vs. Paul ‘Tellys” Kelly (11-3)
Winner: Cerrone by submission
In a classic UFC veteran vs. WEC veteran, Cerrone has more wins on his right record and has a great mat skills.
While Kelly has been in the octagon more in his career, Cerrone has been known for putting on great fights and going toe to toe with the best in the Lightweight division.
Featherweight bout:
Chad “Money” Mendes (9-0) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (12-8-1)
Winner: Mendes by decision
Omigawa’s experience may give him an advantage, but Mendes’ undefeated streak makes up for it. Mendes, who being making his UFC debut after the UFC-WEC merger, will be looking to spoil Omigawa’s return to the UFC. Mendes will utilize his wrestling and keep Omigawa for all three rounds.
Bantamweight bout:
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-3 1NC) vs. Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (8-1)
Winner: Yamaoto by KO
Yamamoto, whose accolades include a four-second KO victory, is making his debut in the UFC after success in K-1 Hero’s and a 1-2 record in DREAM. Despite this fight being on the under card, the promoting for Kid’s debut has gone as far as streaming the fight on Facebook.
While sometimes hyped up fighters who make their debut are defeated, Yamamoto is coming into the match win a first-round KO win while his opponent Johnson is coming in with a two fight winning streak. Still, if Yamamoto can land some good blows in the first few minutes of the fight, he will not only earn another win, but also may be in line for a future title shot.
Lightweight bout:
Paul “Relentless” Taylor (10-6-1 1NC) vs. Gabe “Godzilla” Ruediger (17-6)
Winner: Ruediger by submission
Ruediger has to be odds on favorite coming into this one. Taylor, who has not only lost is last two fights and is fighting in only his second Lightweight bout, while Ruediger is a former WEC Lightweight champion, and has more wins on his record.
Although Taylor says he is looking to start a five-fight winning streak after the match, Ruediger will dash Taylor’s dreams by using his skills in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Judo, and submit Taylor early in the first round.
Light Heavyweight bout:
Kyle Kingsbury (9-2 1NC) vs. Ricardo Romero (11-1)
Winner: Romero by submission
Romero is practically undefeated (his only loss, a DQ for an illegal soccer kick) and has only went to decision once in his entire career, as well as a two-time Ring of Combat champion. However, Kingsbury is on a two-fight winning streak and won Fight of the Night Honors in his last bout. While he could give Romero a run for his money, the fighter from North Brunswick will ultimately finish him.
Many anticipate that Romero could be a rising star in the UFC and beating Kingsbury could help him move up the ladder in the Light Heavyweight Division.
Welterweight bout:
Mike Pierce (11-3) vs. Kenny Robertson (10-0)
Winner: Pierce by decision
Although Robertson is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, Pierce is the favorite coming into this fight. Robertson is coming off of broken toe that sidelined him from his original UFC debut last October, and Pierce has won three of his four fights in the UFC. If Pierce can stick to his game plan of controlling the pace of the fight, he will have no trouble earning points from the judges.
According to MMA Junkie, Pierce has also had a confidence boost due to being the odds makers’ favorite in the first time in his career.
To view the official fight card, visit the UFC site
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