UFC 99: THE COMEBACK
The UFC knows how to do it BIG when they are entering a new market. For their first German (and first main-land European) show they stacked the card with great shows and regional favorites.
MAIN CARD
Rich Franklin Vs. Wanderlei Silva
Cheick Kongo Vs. Cain Velasquez
Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic Vs. Mostapha Al Turk
Mike Swick Vs. Ben Saunders
Spencer Fisher Vs. Caol Uno
Marcus Davis Vs. Dan Hardy
PRELIMINARY CARD *fights may not be aired
Terry Etim Vs. Justin Buchholz
Dennis Siver Vs. Dale Hartt
Paul Taylor Vs. Peter Sobotta
Paul Kelly Vs. Rolando Delgado
Denis Stojnic Vs. Stefan Struve
John Hathaway Vs. Rick Story
Where to start?! What a fantastic card. Not only does it have SIX, instead of the normal five, Main Card fights (that's guaranteed viewing people!) but every fight is fantabulous!!
Rich "Ace" Franklin and Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva developed more than the normal "I'm gonna punch you in the face!" animosity once Rich started training with Anderson Silva, Wanderlei's old training partner. The Axe Murderer viewed it as a betrayal to not only train his opponent when the two had so much history together.
Questions have been brought as of late with Wanderlei now fighting at 185# could we soon be seeing a "Silva v Silva" match-up. I feel Wandy should have a few more fights at 185# (the fight with Franklin is at a catch-weight of 195#) before he gets a title shot... but with the potential hype already there and really no one else challenging Silva at 185 it could happen before the end of the year - A. Silva fights Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 in Philadelphia.
My pick: Wanderlei via (T)KO late in the 2nd round.
Cheick Kongo v Cain Velasquez one has under-performed and one is just starting to make his climb to the top. In recent fights Kongo has had disappointing performances- his physical stature does not match his capabilities on most occasions. However, he was conquered his last three opponents by way of TKO; also, Cain is 3-0 inside the Octagon, all of those wins coming via TKO which makes for an interesting (and hopefully exciting) match-up. The ASU wrestler knows how to use his skill and power to muscle men to the ground and dominate with impressive G'n'P.
My pick: Somebody is getting knock'd the F out. Kongo via (T)KO, 1st round.
Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic v Mostapha Al Turk... WOW! I'm amped to see Cro Cop back and after the media conference call the other day I'm even more stoked! CroCop explained that in the past "I was empty in the head," but now, "There is no Parliment, [I'm] staying out of everything else, all of the things that can take away my concentration." His conditioning "is good, I feel excellent! There is not a gram of fat [on me]." Look out Al Turk, talk can be cheap but if this holds any value the old CroCop is back and ready to kick your head off.
My pick: CroCop via KO (head kick) 2nd round
Mike Swick v Ben Saunders no nasty grudge match here... just two excellent fighters. Both have won their last 3 outings and though no one is a fan of the decision with Swick's past and both guys' power I can't see this ending before the final bell. Both can stand and bang, and take it. Saunders has a strong enough jaw to withstand Swick's lighting fast hands and in return Swick has proven his agility by not being knocked out in the last 5 years.
My pick:Swick via Split Dec.
Spencer Fisher v Caol Uno I give this one to experience. Caol has fought some of the top guys in MMA (Jens, Shinya Aoki, BJ, etc). Spencer... not so much. He's fought some great guys just not the caliber of opponents that Uno has faced.
My pick:Uno via Uni Dec
Marcus Davis v Dan Hardy there isn't a fight I could be more excited for! I'm sure the trash talking and hype surrounding that only adds to my excitement, but really, even on paper, what a great fight!! Knock down, slug it out, bang til someone drops fest. I have to give the edge to Marcus though. With his boxing experience... and experience in general I have to believe he will be able to pull out a "W".
My pick:Davis via (T)KO mid-3rd round
THE UFC TO OPEN THE FIRST EVER UFC GYM IN CA
From the press release (via UFC):
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The UFC® Octagon™ isn’t just for fighters anymore. Now, for the first time in the 15-year history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, anyone - no matter how young or old – can experience what it’s like to train in the most exciting sport in the world thanks to the launch of the UFC® Gym™. UFC and New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC) announced today that Concord, California will be the first home to the ultimate fitness destination, one that combines a complete UFC experience with mixed martial arts and fitness.
“We are excited to open our first UFC Gym, it’s going to have something for everyone in the family, from traditional mixed martial arts classes, to all-around fitness classes, personal training and a gym just for kids,” said Dana White, UFC President. “We are going to redefine the fitness industry, and get everyone excited about fitness again, starting with the first UFC Gym in Concord, California.”
...
The first UFC Gym enrollment center is set to open on Wed. June 17th and is located at The Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd in Concord, CA 94520. For additional information, click on UFCgym.com.
Earlier this year, UFC and NEFC announced a partnership with Welterweight Champion Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, and Lightweight Champion BJ “The Prodigy” Penn to build “St-Pierre” and “Penn” UFC Gyms, with locations planned for St-Pierre’s native city of Montreal and Penn’s home state of Hawaii.
Other gyms are on the agenda, though ultimately the success of the first gym will determine the fate of the others.
Miss something? Questions? Comments? E-mail me:
samantha.lynn.johnson@gmail.com
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