#1 ranked Chad “Money” Mendes (16-2) takes on #4 ranked Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas (15-3) on April 4 in the main event of UFC Fight Night 63. This fight serves as a step towards another title run for Mendes and Lamas. Both former 145-pound title challengers are eager to earn another shot at the championship currently held by José Aldo.
These two fighters are perfectly matched, both have had success wrestling at the collegiate level, Lamas has a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and his striking game is strong. Chad Mendes does not have a belt in Jiu-jitsu and doesn’t really need one because we all know if an Alpha Male gets hold of your neck more likely than not you are going to get submitted. Mendes’ striking game is on point thanks to the training he has gotten from Duane “Bang” Ludwig.
This fight should result in the winner getting another chance at José Aldo and the title of UFC Featherweight Champion. Unfortunately only one will get that chance, making this the most important fight of the year for these two fighters. My money is on Mendes.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Al Iaquinta
Next on the fight card we have Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal taking on Al “Raging” Iaquinta. Since his loss to Mitch Clarke at UFC 173, Iaquinta has been on a three fight KO win streak and has looked better and better with each fight. He is more patient and appears to stick to the game plan put in effect by his coaches, Ray Longo and Matt Serra (Serra the former Welterweight Champion and one of only two men to ever beat Georges St. Pierre).
Iaquinta is living up to his nickname “Raging”. We’ll see if he can keep it up against Jorge Masvidal, who has been very dominate in his last three fights, most recently with an impressive win over Darren Cruickshank. Masvidal has won the majority of his fights via unanimous decisions.
Both of these guys are on a 3 fight win streak, although Masvidal has more experience than Iaquinta with the improvements Iaquinta has shown he will give Masvidal a run for the money. This fight will be action packed, both of these guys are gamers. As long as Iaquinta sticks to his game plan, I see him getting the win.
The Rest of the Card
Michael “The Maverick” Chiesa is going to face Mitch “Danger Zone” Clarke. Chiesa recently lost a controversial technical knockout to Joe Lauzon. This loss ended what Chiesa hoped would add to a two-fight win streak. Clarke is the winner of his last two fights with wins over John Maguire and Al Iaquinta. This is a fight Clarke and his team have been asking for, and now that he has it, Chiesa promises to make him regret it.
Also featured on the main card will be Juliana Pena going against Milana Dudieva. Pena, the winner of “TUF 18″ women’s final in 2013, has been out since that win after suffering a severe knee injury in training, doing damage to her ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus. This is her return to the ring where she is going to face Dudieva. This fight is going to be a true test for Pena. Dedieve is on a 3 fight win streak and has won 9 of her last 11 by stoppage, with 6 of those wins via submissions.
Clay “The Carpenter” Guida, who’s taking on Robbie Peralta, has lost 4 of his last 6 fights, with his last one ending via submission to Dennis Bermudez. Peralta has won 2 of his last 3 fights, suffering a submission loss to Thiago Tavares. Both men like to move forward, they both love to stand and bang, neither is really a counter puncher and they can get it done on the ground. This fight has the potential to be the Fight of the Night! I am torn, I really want Guida to get the win, but Peralta is a power puncher and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt. I am going with my longtime favorite, Guida for the win.
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier faces off against Diego Ferreira. Poirier is moving back to the lightweight division for this fight after suffering a TKO loss to Conor McGregor, marking the first time Poirier had been knocked out, putting an end to his 3 fight win streak. Ferreira is hoping to get back on the winning side of things since his loss to Beneil Darjush. He is going to have his hands full against Poirier, who is probably the most game of all of his opponents thus far. I am going with Poirier for the win either by submission or TKO.
