This should be one of the best MMA nights in a long while. What more can you ask for? Two title fights and a highly anticipated match from the two coaches of the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter. Here's how it breaks down:
Mir vs. Lesnar (Round 2)
Heavyweight Unification Bout
The Behemoth vs. Frat Boy
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thaigo Alves
Welterweight Title Bout
vs. 
The 2008 Canadien Athelete of the Year vs. The Pitbull
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Potential Title shot on the line
UK vs. USA
I'm especially excited to see GSP fight what I figure to be one of his tougher opponents he's fought in Thiago Alves. Alves brings serious striking power, which is something GSP's opponents have lacked the last few fights. It should be a classic GSP fight with the Champ showcasing his complete package MMA skills that have made him a champion thus far. However, the great thing about MMA is that Thiago could find an opening and end the fight with one punch - he's got that ability.
The Mir vs. Lesnar fight should put to rest any qualms people may have about the fitness of Mir and the standing of Lesnar. Mir - already once a heavyweight champ and the owner of the Interim title - should prove to be a tough opponent with his improved striking and incredible juijitsu. However, Lesnar's pure size (he has to cut weight to hit the 275lb threshold for heavyweights) and strength is what really makes this fight interesting. Again, a classic MMA match up of size/strength vs. agility and skill (much like Royce Gracie vs. virtually anyone through the first 4 UFC events). I hope Mir wins just because I think there are far more deserving champions than Brock Lesnar (3-1 total record?), plus Lesnar's essentially got a cock tattoo on his chest. However, another great fight.
Full card here
Thoughts, predictions?
Mir vs. Lesnar (Round 2)
Heavyweight Unification Bout
The Behemoth vs. Frat Boy
Pros pick 'em hereSherdog wrote:
Brock Lesnar, a former professional wrestler and national collegiate wrestler, first saw Octagon action when Frank Mir submitted him in the first round at UFC 81. With a chance for redemption and an opportunity to claim the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight title, Lesnar’s shocking size, strength and athleticism looks to overcome Mir’s experience and technique.
Georges St. Pierre vs. Thaigo Alves
Welterweight Title Bout
vs. The 2008 Canadien Athelete of the Year vs. The Pitbull
The pros' thoughtsSherdog wrote:
The French Canadian appears unstoppable and has looked like a mistake-free fighter. Alves’ strikes, though, are heat seekers. The Brazilian’s size matches up well and aids his powerful sprawl-and-brawl gameplan perfectly. St. Pierre has only suffered damage inside the Octagon from strikes -- against B.J. Penn at UFC 58 and during Matt Serra’s “Rocky” upset at UFC 69. The Greg Jackson-trained fighter is a master strategist, but Alves’ American Top Team pedigree ensures he will be ready to take out another welterweight juggernaut, just as he did Matt Hughes at UFC 85.
It’s a showdown between elite, complete fighters, each with a decisive advantage standing or on the ground. The youth and skill present in this bout means the winner could enjoy a lengthy reign at the top of the 170-pound division
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson
Potential Title shot on the line
UK vs. USA
The UFC has come a long way from the early days of Royce Gracie pulling Kimo's ponytail out on his way to a victory to a full fledged sanctioned promotion complete with a hit cable show and plenty of media support. This hyped event can be seen as a sort of triumph for the sport of MMA as it has been seeking (and gaining) mainstream support for about 15 years now. It all culminates in an exciting event set to air from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas this Saturday.Sherdog wrote:
An entire season of “The Ultimate Fighter” hyped American Olympian Dan Henderson’s matchup with Brit Michael Bisping. Henderson, who spent nearly nine years fighting in Japan, finally had a chance to endear himself to stateside fans, as Bisping reprised his role as the reality show’s antagonist. A win could earn Henderson a chance at redemption against middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Bisping, meanwhile, can solidify himself as a top fighter. The bout represents a stern test that forces him to battle a legend for a chance to claim his own crack at the middleweight crown.
I'm especially excited to see GSP fight what I figure to be one of his tougher opponents he's fought in Thiago Alves. Alves brings serious striking power, which is something GSP's opponents have lacked the last few fights. It should be a classic GSP fight with the Champ showcasing his complete package MMA skills that have made him a champion thus far. However, the great thing about MMA is that Thiago could find an opening and end the fight with one punch - he's got that ability.
The Mir vs. Lesnar fight should put to rest any qualms people may have about the fitness of Mir and the standing of Lesnar. Mir - already once a heavyweight champ and the owner of the Interim title - should prove to be a tough opponent with his improved striking and incredible juijitsu. However, Lesnar's pure size (he has to cut weight to hit the 275lb threshold for heavyweights) and strength is what really makes this fight interesting. Again, a classic MMA match up of size/strength vs. agility and skill (much like Royce Gracie vs. virtually anyone through the first 4 UFC events). I hope Mir wins just because I think there are far more deserving champions than Brock Lesnar (3-1 total record?), plus Lesnar's essentially got a cock tattoo on his chest. However, another great fight.
Full card here
Thoughts, predictions?
