Including the month of October, there are only three months left in 2013. But that doesn’t mean the year isn’t going to go out with a bang. There are still some great fights to come, maybe the biggest fights of the year. Here is a quick look at what fights fans have to look forward to, intriguing match-ups, and more.
The BIG Fights
The UFC usually tries to end the year in a big way. And by the looks of things, they’re going to do just that. Now, although there are many great fights scheduled for the remaining months of the year, the ones that stand out most to me are four title fights. First off, heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez will look to defend his title against familiar face Junior dos Santos in what is most likely the most anticipated rubber match in UFC history. This fight is interesting because no one knows how it’s going to turn out. Will dos Santos quickly KO Velasquez like he did in their first fight? Or will Velasquez dominate dos Santos like he did in their rematch? No one can be sure, and because this fight is so even makes it exciting. These two MMA giants will collide at UFC 166 on October 19.
Next to that fantastic title fight, long-time welterweight champion Georges St.Pierre will look to defend his belt against his toughest test to date; hard hitting Johny Hendricks. It seems heading into every GSP title fight, that his next opponent is always deemed his toughest test to date, and that they have a serious chance of actually dethroning the champ. Georges has had none of that, remaining dominant and holding on to his belt for years now. Johny Hendricks is special though. He knocked out former top ten welterweight Jon Fitch in only 12 seconds. St.Pierre couldn’t put away Fitch in five whole rounds. Hendricks has wiped out a list of contenders, including the likes of Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, and Carlos Condit (three of those men have fought for a world title). He is a phenomenal wrestler with heavy hands, and could seriously have a chance at becoming the new welterweight champ. Georges has been criticized for being boring or safe. Against a man like Hendricks, he’ll be forced to fight a competitive fight, and this one should be a good one. St.Pierre and Hendricks will headline UFC 167 on November 16.
The light weight title will also be up for grabs this year. The (recently new) lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will make his first title defense at UFC on Fox 9 in December against long time top lightweight Josh Thomson. Pettis looked invincible in his title winning effort against former champ Benson Henderson. He managed to stuff all of Henderson’s take downs and eventually submitted Henderson with an armbar. No one saw that coming. He won with such ease, it will be interesting to see who, if anyone, can defeat him. Thomson could be the man to do it. He earned the shot by knocking out Nate Diaz in impressive fashion, becoming the first to ever stop Diaz. Both men are outstanding strikers with a well rounded game. This fight could be a potential “Fight of the Year” canidate.
The last title fight that I am most excited for will be a rematch. But not just a rematch – the biggest rematch in all of UFC and MMA history. Considered the best fighter of all time, pound for pound great Anderson Silva will look to reclaim what now-champion Chris Weidman took from him back at UFC 162. Weidman shocked the world when he ended a seven year title run by knocking out Silva and scoring a huge upset. To Weidman’s discredit, Silva taunted and clowned around far more often then he ever had in any other fight. This was in hopes of throwing Weidman off his game. Sadly for Silva, it cost him the fight. The rematch will draw even more excitement because it will be interesting to see what a serious Anderson Silva can do. Many believe he will win this time around. However, a now confident Weidman, having been th only man to beat Silva in the UFC, will be more dangerous then ever. This fight will be on the UFC’s year end card (UFC 168) taking place on December 28.
Some Other Interesting Fights…
Just because a fight may not be as big as some others, doesn’t mean it can’t be intriguing. There’s plenty other match ups that raise a lot of interest and questions. Here is just a few:
Daniel Cormier vs Roy Nelson (UFC 166)
Cormier entered the UFC with a lot of hype, and he still carries around that hype. He managed to make a successful UFC debut by beating former heavyweight champion Frank Mir. But, the fight was very lackluster, and it went to a decision. In my opinion, Cormier needs to do more than that to live up to his hype. A win over Nelson would do the trick. Nelson has faced a who’s-who of heavyweight contenders. Beating Nelson will be no easy task for Cormier. This fight is interesting because it poses the question, can Cormier live up to his hype, or will Nelson take on the role of spoiler and continue his quest for a title shot.
Lyoto Machida vs Mark Munoz (UFC Fight Night 30)
Former light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida will look to find new life in his new weight class: middleweight. Machida steps in as an injury replacement for Michael Bisping, after being originally scheduled to take on Tim Kennedy at UFC Fight for the Troops 3. This fight has many questions surrounding it. How will the weight cut effect Machida? How will the change in opponent effect both men? Can Munoz rise to the occasion and beat a former world champion and his arguably his toughest opponent yet? The fight is interesting because fans will get a chance to see all these questions and many more answered in UFC FIght Night 30’s main event.
Vitor Belfort vs Dan Henderson (UFC FIght Night 32)
This fight is a rematch from a fight that took place in the now defunct organiztion “Pride FC” all the way back in 2006. This match up is interesting because both men’s careers have come along way. Both are true MMA legends and have fought the best in the world over the years. In the first fight, Henderson earned the victory. But father time seems to finally be catching up to the legendary 43 year old, as he looks to rebound from a two fight losing streak. Belfort, on the other hand, couldn’t look better. Coming off of two consecutive head kick KO victories, “The Phenom” will look to make it three straight against old foe Henderson. Fans will be anticipating this one, waiting to see if Vitor get win the rematch or if Dan Henderson can once again turn back the clock and earn another victory inside the cage.
“The Loser Leaves Town”
Sometimes, the UFC puts two fighters against each other that are on losing streaks. The winner keeps his job; the loser gets cut. Some of the more notable fights that fit this description are:
Josh Koscheck vs Tyron Woodley (UFC 167)
Once a former title challenger, Josh Koscheck is now on a two fight losing streak, the later coming by devestating knockout. Woodley made an impressive debut, winning by early KO, but then would lose a lack luster fight to Jake Shields. The UFC has shown by cutting Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami that no matter how good you once were, if you look bad now, you can get released following a loss. Both men will likely be fighting for their jobs. Koscheck would be a sad 0-3 in his last three fights should he lose, and Woodley an almost equally unimpressive 1-2.
Nate Marquardt vs Hector Lombard (UFC 166)
Both men were once at the top of the sport. Marquardt left the UFC to go on and become the Strikeforce welterweight champion. He’d lose his belt, and when he returned to the UFC he would be brutally kockedout by Jake Ellenberger. Not good to say the least. Lombard came into the UFC as a middleweigt with a lot of hype. However, he would only go 1-2 in his first three fights, prompting a drop to welterweight. Both men will look to get back to their winning ways. Whoever should not will likely be unemployed.
Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz (TUF 18 Finale)
The loser might not “walk” in this fight. But there’s a good possibility they could. The UFC has cut high profile fighters coming off a loss before (like Fitch and Okami). Maynard and Diaz have both fought for the light weight title. What else do they have in common? They’re both fighting to avoid a losing streak. Maynard will have lost two in a row should he lose, and Diaz three. To make matters worse for both fighters, they were both knocked out in their last outings. This fight will be a rubber match between the two, so it should be a good fight. But good or bad, the loser still has a good chance of being cut should they lose.
Following In His Brother’s Foot Steps
That Anthony Pettis guy I mentioned above isn’t just the UFC lightweight champion and a great fighter. He is also brother to undefeated prospect Sergio Pettis. Sergio, like his older brother, is a well rounded fighter who is fun to watch. Possessing a perfect 9-0 record, Pettis finally got the call to join his older brother in the UFC. He is rumored to make is debut at UFC 167 against Vaughan Lee. Sergio will definitely be one to watch, and it will be interesting to see if he can become champion like his brother.
Don’t Forget About The Ladies
The rest of 2013 will be big for women’s MMA, too. Current champ and Ultimate Fighter coach, Ronda Rousey, will look to defend her title against fellow coach Miesha Tate in a rematch of two of the best female fighters in the world in UFC 168’s co-main event. Also, Liz Carmouche will battle Alexis Davis at UFC FIght for the Troops 3 in ab out that could determine who fights the winner of Rousey vs Tate. Other important fights in the women’s division include Rosi Sexton vs Jessica Andrade (UFC Fight Night 30) and Amanda Nunes vs Germaine de Randamie (UFC Fight for the Troops 3). On top of all this, The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale (on November 30) will decide the first ever female winner in TUF history. It’s safe to say women’s MMA is developing well and that it will continue to grow in 2014.
Bellator MMA
It wouldn’t be a look at all of MMA in 2013 if i just talked about the UFC. The second biggest promotion in MMA, Bellator, continues to thrive and put on events. They’ve featured former UFC fighters, including UFC heavyweight vet Cheick Kongo this past Friday, as well as continuing to schedule their own talent, like former Bellator featherweight champ Joe Warren who earned a victory in September that moved him into the finals of Bellator’s bantamweight tournament. Bellator’s biggest event has yet to come though, but it will take place this year. Their first ever paper-view event is scheduled for November 2, when former UFC light heavyweight champions and MMA legends “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz collide. Also on the card are three, yes THREE, title fights. Michael Chandler will defend his belt against the man he beat to earn it, Eddie Alvarez. This fight is a rematch of one of the best fights I’ve ever seen, and this lightweight title fight will be the co-main event for the fight card. Pat Curran will look to defend his featherweight title against Daniel Strauss. Curran is always exciting and is considered one of the best in the world, and against the tough Strauss, this fight should be a good one. Finally, “King Mo” Lawal will fight Emanuel Newton for the Bellator interim-light heavyweight title. The two fought before, where Newton earned an upset victory by KO. Bellator continues to put on solid events and is worth keeping an eye on. Especially their first ever paper-view card which i feel is stacked and has been incorrectly labelled as a weak event.
That’s it for my summary of the rest of 2013. There’s plenty I had to leave out for sake of time, but the fights I’ve listed and the ones left out will surely make the rest of 2013 memorable, and worth watching.
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