Well – for all the whiners out there, the low-key stretch of UFC fight cards is over. Starting Saturday, February 20 at UFC 110, we have some major bouts to watch. Here’s an early preview of the Australia-hosted event, as I’ll be on hiatus next week.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-5-1) vs Cain Velasquez (7-0)
How fitting is it that we could witness the passing of the heavyweight torch while the Olympics are still running? Minotauro Nogueira isn’t old in years, just 33, but he has a ton of mileage on his body. Then again, he looked rejuvenated when he beat Randy Couture last August. He’ll pit his legendary BJJ against up-and-comer Cain Velasquez’s wrestling.
The pick: Cain Velasquez. Some fight fans believe Velasquez will get overanxious and wind up caught in a submission, but Velasquez is not Brock Lesnar. He’s renowned as one of the hardest-working, most studious fighters in MMA. He’ll be ready for Nogueira and should bully him with his great grappling.
Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) vs Michael Bisping (18-2)
Muay Thai mauler Wanderlei Silva completes his cut to middleweight with a 185-pound debut against the mouthy Brit Bisping.
The Pick: Michael Bisping. Wandy’s Axe Murderer days are over; he may intimidate Bisping early on, as Bisping will probably never forget the punch Dan Henderson dealt him at UFC 100. But Bisping is faster, better conditioned and younger. He’ll grind out a decision.
Joe Stevenson (31-10) vs George Sotiropoulos (11-0)
Undefeated George Sotiropoulos will test his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against seasoned vet Joe Stevenson in an important lightweight matchup. George, a native Australian, will have the home crowd on his side.
The Pick: Joe Stevenson. I think Sotiropoulos has a bright future in MMA but he’ll remember two important words after this fight: Greg Jackson. Arguably mainstream MMA’s top teacher, Jackson has converted “Daddy” Stevenson back to the bulldog ground-and-pound artist he used to be. He’s a major step up in competition for the still-green Sotiropoulos.
Keith Jardine (15-6-1) vs Ryan Bader (10-0)
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader puts his perfect record on the line against Keith Jardine, the quintessential light heavyweight gatekeeper.
The Pick: Keith Jardine. Few fighters are easier to predict than Jardine. Aggressive strikers who swarm Jardine absolutely dominate him; more patient, cerebral fighters struggle against his bizarre style. Bader hasn’t proven to be a finisher since joining the UFC, so I like Jardine to win this one on points.
Mirko Filipovic (25-7-2) vs Ben Rothwell (30-7)
Legendary heavyweight striker Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic went back on his retirement and decided to honour his commitment to the UFC after all. But does he have anything left in the tank for Ben Rothwell?
The Pick: Ben Rothwell. As much as I’d love to see Cro Cop bust out one of his famous head kicks, he’s lost his mental edge. Rothwell isn’t a world-class fighter per se but he still has desire; he was furious after losing his last bout to Cain Velasquez. I think he’ll use his size advantage to take Cro Cop down.
By Matt Larkin
Guest Writer
MMA Clubs in North York, Brampton, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa, Peel Region, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Toronto, Vaughan, Woodbridge, York, York Region Ontario Canada.
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