WSOF 27 Breakdown

WSOF 27 Breakdown

 

            Injury causes a lineup shift, but WSOF 27 is still loaded with intriguing match-ups. Mike Ricci was scheduled to face Caros Fodor in the main event, but Ricci withdrew due to injury. Moving the Light Heavyweight fight between Teddy Holder and Shamil Gamzatov to the main event. Fodor will now face Luiz Firmino in the Co-main.

Expect a Finish

            Teddy “Bear” Holder had his eight fight win streak halted by WSOF LHW and MW Champion David Branch (9/18/15) in the first by RNC. Holder has finished all nine of his wins in the first round (7KO, 2Sub). In fact “Bear” hasn’t seen the second round in his career. He holds 1^st round KO wins over Thiago Silva (WSOF 19) and Sean Salmon (UCC6) to name two of his more recognized victims. His two losses were both by submission.

            Undefeated Shamil Gamzatov has also finished each of his wins: four by KO and five by Submission. The 25 year old Russian hasn’t fought since 10/11/14 when he beat Yuri Gorbenko with a first round Triangle (2:12).

Lightweight Division

Caros “The Future” Fedor is a veteran of OneFC, Strikeforce and UFC. This is his WSOF debut. “The Future” didn’t fight in 2015, but went 2-0 in 2014 with two Sub wins over: Willy Ni (May 30) by Kimura 1^st 3:29 and Vincent Latoel (Sept 12) by RNC 2^nd 4:43. He takes on 33 year old Luiz Firmino. “Buscape” made his pro debut on May 27, 2000. He has fought for M-1, Pride and Dream. Firmino also a bit inactive as late, but is on a five fight win streak, most recently by UD over Tyson Griffin (6/21/14).

Local Striker Looking to Build Momentum

            Tennessee native, Jaleel “The Realest” Willis, makes his WSOF debut as an undefeated Welterweight. Willis is 5-0 with four first round TKO stoppages due to striking. Last January “The Realest” Stopped Dameon Melton in the first 1:25 at V3 Fights. He takes on Chauncey “The Machine” Foxworth. Foxworth enters for his second time as a pro, the owner of a first round KO win over Linc Battee (3:16) Oct 24^th 2015.

Lightweight Sub-Specialists

            Bryce Mitchell made his Pro debut last January 24^th, since “Thug Nasty” has submitted his way to a 4-0 record. All those wins came in the first rounds; most recently Chris Culley tapped at 3:39 (9/26/15). Mitchell faces Jorge Medina. Medina started his 4-2 record with 3 straight sub wins also. He is 1-2 in his last 3 fights, losing by TKO on 3/28/15 to Pedro Gomes (2^nd 4:22).

 

WSOF 27 is January 23^rd at 10pm ET on NBCSN Prelims Streaming live on WSOF.com

Breakdown: UFC FN 81, Boston

Breakdown: UFC FN 81, Boston

 

            Injuries may be the first thing you think of when you think about former Bantamweight Champion, Dominic Cruz, but let’s not discount the dominance prior to the injuries. Cruz TKO’d Brian Bowles in the 2^nd round on March 16, 2010 to become the champion and then defended against the division’s best: Benavidez, Jorgensen Faber and, most recently, a Unanimous Decision over, now Flyweight Champ, Demetrious Johnson (10/01/11).

The Briefest of Injury Timelines:

            May 7, 2012 first reported injury: Forced to pull out of rubber match with Faber at UFC 148.

            Then a second ACL surgery and a pulled groin kept him out of action until September 27, 2014 when he steamrolled Takeya Mizugaki with a first round KO (1:01).

            December 22, 2014 it was reported that Cruz injured the ACL on his other leg and required surgery. This is “The Dominator’s first fight back and just second fight since 2011.

            TJ Dillashaw is riding a confidence wave fueled by three straight finishes in championship fights. At 12-2 with 6 KO’s the 29 year old TKO’d Renan Barao in the 4^th round (0:35) in July of 2015. Prior to that he finished, late replacement fighter, Joe Soto by head-kick (5^th 2:20) Aug 30, 2014.  Don’t forget when Dillashaw shocked the world by outworking Renan Barao before pouring it on the former Champ in the fifth round to earn the TKO at 2:26 and wear the belt home.

            Dillashaw himself was a replacement fighter in the Barao fight. He maximized the opportunity when Raphael Assuncao was forced to withdraw due to an injured rib. TJ lost to Assuncao at UFC FN 29 in Oct, 2013 in a close Split Decision.

Co-Main Event: Lightweight Division

Eddie Alvarez held belts in other organizations, but his journey to UFC gold has begun slowly. The former Bellator Lightweight Champion lost his UFC debut to Donald Cerrone (9/27/14) by UD. In June of 2015 he bounced back with a SD win over Gilbert Melendez. The 32 year old Alvarez is the owner of 14 KO and 7 Sub victories.

March 14, 2015 saw the end of Anthony Pettis’ win streak. Rafael dos Anjos took the LW title from Pettis in a five round domination. Before the loss “Showtime’s” win streak involved two championship Submission wins and two highlight real kicks. In Dec, 2014 Pettis sub’d former Strikeforce LW champ Gilbert Melendez by Guillotine (2^nd 1:53) and Arm-barred the belt away from Benson Henderson (1^st 4:43) on Aug 31, 2013.

On his run toward the belt “Showtime” ended the nights of two contenders by first round kicks: 1/26/13 A body kick to Donald Cerrone at 2:35 buckled Cowboy and the referee stopped the fight, 2/26/14 a head-kick sent Joe Lauzon to the canvas at just 1:21 into the contest.

Heavyweight Division

At 17-3 Travis Browne has only been KO’d twice, unfortunately the more recent was “Hapa’s” last fight (May 23, 2015) by former training partner, Andrei Arlovski in the first 4:41. Prior to that he TKO’s Brendan Schaub in Dec of 14.

Also coming off a loss is Matt Mitrione. “Meathead” shot in for the first take-down of his UFC career and found himself caught in a Ben Rothwell Guillotine (1^st 1:54) in June, 2015. Before the loss MM was on a first round KO streak that victimized: Gabriel Gonzaga (12/13/14 1:59), Derrick Lewis (9/5/14 0:41) and Shawn Jordan (3/1/14 4:59).

The two heavyweights hold 21 KO’s between them (13 Browne, 8 Mitrione). Expect a stand up fight here.

Lightweights:

            Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson is 18-9 with 7 KO and 5 Sub wins. His last contest was a split decision win over Paul Felder. He takes on Francisco Trinaldo who is 18-4 with 6 KO and 5 Subs. Trinaldo is on a 4 fight win streak latest: TKO win over TUF winner Chad Laprise at 2:43 of the first.

Other Fights to Look for:

In the LW division Daron Cruickshank takes on Paul Felder in a possible FON match-up.

WW sees “Killer B” Ben Saunders and Patrick Cote battle it out toward a prospective title run.

At Light Heavyweight two Middleweight contender’s meet: Tim Boetsch and Ed Herman.

How Carlos Condit Becomes Welterweight Champ

How Carlos Condit Becomes Welterweight Champ

 

No easy task, but Condit comes into UFC 195 flexing a skill-set that matches up better than past challengers to Robbie Lawler’s Championship. 20 of Lawler’s 26 wins have come by way of KO/TKO, however Condit is the owner of 15 KO/TKO and 13 Submission wins in his 30 wins (he’s won just 2 fights by way of judges’ decision).

Both fighters prefer to battle it out on the feet, where Condit will have a one inch reach advantage. More importantly the former WEC champ will benefit from a five inch leg reach advantage, normally not a very telling stat, but Condit typically employs a kick heavy arsenal in his fights. A successful Condit will maintain his distance and pick Lawler apart with kicks and punches from distance.

In the past Condit has been susceptible to the take down due to kicks, never afraid to test his BJJ game from his back (remember the 13 subs) “The Natural Born Killer” has been outpointed by fighters like GSP and Kampman for not controlling position. Condit displays a versatile guard, throwing many punches and elbows from his back and also possesses long legs with great flexibility. Robbie Lawler has been known to deliver hard punches in every position, to avoid damage Condit should use his BJJ to get to his feet or sweep.

On the feet Condit utilizes great footwork, moves backward effectively and counters with precision. Important skills when fighting a power striker like Lawler. Tyron Woodley is the only fighter to stop Carlos Condit by strikes. In their match up in March, Woodley landed a leg kick following a takedown that resulted in a TKO loss, due to R leg injury for Condit. This May, the leg appeared to be fine when CC finished Thiago Alves in the 2^nd round at UFC Fight Night 67.

The last WEC Welterweight champ has also worn UFC gold. In Feb of 2012 he bested Nick Diaz for the interim WW belt at UFC 143. Condit is no stranger to five round fights and never appears out of shape. The Albuquerque native is a long time trainee at Jackson-Wink MMA and will take advantage of great coaching.  

Counter striking and effective footwork are the keys to success for Condit. Twenty fighters have fallen in the past to Lawler’s power. Condit has faced many of the division’s best and survived their attacks. Look for Carlos to do the same in this fight, avoid power punches and counter. CC by 3^rd round TKO.

UFC 194 vs UFC 100

UFC 194 vs UFC 100

           UFC 194 takes over the crown as best fight card, the UFC ever held? UFC 100 took place on July 11, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and has since been considered, by most, the best event the promotion has presented to date. The Main Event of the night was a rematch of Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar for the Heavyweight Championship. Let’s examine the specifics and determine which event ranks as number one.

 

With Pay per view buy totals not yet available (UFC 100= 1.6 Mil. 194 predictions over one million buys) the first thing to consider is the attendance: for UFC 100 was 10,871 with a gate of 5,128,490 while UFC 194’s attendance: 16,516 with 10.1 million at the gate. Advantage 194.

Now let’s look at each match both on paper and actual result:

100-Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Alan Belcher. This was Akiyama’s first time in the UFC, but he was on a 13 fight unbeaten streak. Belcher, 25 at the time, had a record of 14-5 with 5 Sub and 7 KO wins already. The result was a robbery, Akiyama granted a split decision win despite being outworked by Belcher.

194-Max Holloway vs Jeremy Stephens. Holloway came in on a seven fight win streak with six finishes, while hard-hitter, Stephens fresh off his sixteenth career KO, a third round TKO of Dennis Bermudez. The result a Unanimous Decision for Holloway. Advantage 194.

100-Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping. This match up followed season nine of The Ultimate Fighter where “The Count” and “Hendo” coached against each other. The result an H-Bomb that KO’d Bisping before his back hit the mat and the flying exclamation point to follow in the form of a follow up right to the unconscious Englishman.

194-Demain Maia vs Gunnar Nelson. Each fighter came in with ten Sub and three KO wins a piece. The result Maia by UD. No contest here Advantage 100.

This is when UFC 100 got weird, for some reason the Jon Fitch vs Paolo Thiago bout was held and took place after the main event. Fitch won by UD, his usual dominant top game held Thiago to the mat.

194-Yoel Romero vs Ronaldo Souza. Going into the fight it appeared the next MW contender would come from this bout. Each fighter riding a significant win streak (Souza 8 w/ 7 finishes) (Romero 6 w/ 5 KO’s). The result, neither looked ready to take on the new or former champ, Romero by SD. Advantage 100.

100-George St Pierre vs Thiago Alves. This was before GSP was considered so dominant and, the much physically larger, Alves had many believing he would take the title. The result UD St Pierre (two judges scored it 50-45 and the other 50-44).

194-Luke Rockhold vs Chris Weidman. Rockhold former Strikeforce champ and finisher of last four opponents (3 Subs 1 KO) took on undefeated Weidman. Weidman had dethroned the GOAT, Anderson Silva. The result was an even exchange through two plus rounds until Rockhold capitalized on a poor spinning kick by Weidman. Rockhold pounded on Weidman for the remainder of the third and continued dominance into the fourth round until Herb Dean stopped it at 3:12.

This is a comparison of a great performance by St Pierre and a great battle that made way to even better finish. In a close call Advantage 194.

100-Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir. This was a rematch, Mir tapped Lesnar by Knee-bar in their first encounter (just Lesnar’s second career MMA fight) at UFC 81, Feb 2, 2008. The now champion Lesnar looked to even the score between the Heavyweights. The result was a dominant performance by Brock and TKO stoppage at 1:48 of the second round. Lesnar was the biggest star in the UFC at the time and his proportions looked more like He-Man character than those of Mir.

194-Connor McGregor vs Jose Aldo. Like Mir v Lesnar this matched up an interim Champion with the division’s rightful champ. Aldo dominated the Featherweight Division and was the weight class’s only UFC Champion. McGregor had 16 KO’s in his 18 fight career and his ability to sell a fight is unmatched. The result, 13 ticks into the fight McGregor stoned Aldo and took home the belt.

With all the hype of the first Aldo/McGregor match up (cancelled due to injury to Aldo) in July and the world tour, a TV ad priced at over a million dollars, this was the most promoted MMA fight ever. Both fights were dominations. Advantage 194.

As time passes the view of these events relevance to history may change, but as for today UFC 194 takes the crown as the best fight card to date.

Week's recap and predictions

Can UFC 194 Take the Weekend’s Crown?

 

            On paper UFC 194 is, arguably, the best fight card ever, but will it take the crown as the best event of this weekend? Can this card live up to the pressure? The pressure of a postponed Championship fight that saw the UFC lay down the most money to date to promote the event. Two titles on the line, a load of high ranked competitors ready for action and the phenomenon, that is Connor McGregor all take place for this event. The added pressure of following two consecutive nights of fabulous UFC action. Two cards down and almost every fight so far has been memorable.

            Thursday Night recap:

            Thiago Santos convincingly won a UD over Elias Theodoruo in the Middleweight division. Santos opened up a gash over the TUF Winner’s eye, reminiscent of a cocked eyebrow. The loss was the first on Theodorou’s record to date.

            Same old Sage: Sage Northcutt won by stoppage again. In Fact the 19 year-old has been able to stop every opponent he’s faced in his 7-0 career. Thursday’s came as a Guillotine Choke at 0:41 in the 2^nd round over Cody Pfister. “Super” Sage is now 2-0 since entering the UFC in October, when he TKO’d Francisco Trevino, just 0:57 into his debut.

            Michael Chiesa earned his ninth win by submission with a Rear-Naked-Choke over Veteran fighter Jim Miller. The two exchanged positions and fought a fairly even bout before Chiesa found Miller’s neck.

            Rose Namajunas dominated Paige VanZant before locking in a RNC of her own at 2:25 in the 5^th round. “Thug” improves to 4-2 with four Submissions.

            Friday Night recap:

            Evan Dunham out struck Joe Lauzon to convincingly earn the UD in the Lightweight Division contest. The win improves Dunham’s record to 17-6.

            Tony Ferguson’s second round Sub win over Edson Barboza puts him in second place among 155ers, with seven consecutive (he trails Donald Cerrone who has 8). The high action bout thrilled the crowd and earned each fighter a $50,000 bonus check. “El Cucuy” received an additional $50,000 for locking in a Brabo Choke at 2:54 in the 2^nd.

            A late replacement, Ryan Hall, is the new Ultimate Fighter. The BJJ wizard landed 169 total strikes to Artem Lobov’s 13. Hall’s active ground game kept Lobov scrambling and defending Sub attempts all fight.

            Frankie Edgar has done his part to earn another shot at the FW title. The same title contested tonight by Connor McGregor and Jose Aldo. Edgar KO’d Chad Mendes at 2:28 of the opening round. This marks Edgar’s 5^th consecutive win and 3rd stoppage in the run.

            UFC 194

            With all those great fights already this week, what could cap it off: Two Championship fights, a Middleweight matchup that should provide the next belt challenger, and two more Featherweights battling toward a shot at the belt.

            Max Holloway Vs. Jeremy Stephens is a fight that is not getting the kind of push a contender’s fight of this magnitude normally does. Stephens has the punching power to end this fight at any moment. “Lil Heathen” has 16 KO’s in his career to date. Holloway comes into the fight on a seven fight win streak including 4 KO’s and 2 Subs. Sleeper pick for Fight of the Night. Holloway by Sub.

            Gunnar Nelson takes on Demian Maia in the Welterweight Division. Two grapplers with 10 Submission wins each will battle it out. Often great grappling cancels each other out. Maia should still have the advantage on the ground, but will he be dominant enough to stop Nelson? Not likely Maia by SD.

            Before #1 ranked Middleweight, Luke Rockhold challenges Chris Weidman for the MW belt, #2 Ranked Ronaldo Souza takes on #3 ranked Yoel Romero. “Jacare” Souza has 16 Sub wins while 9 of Romero’s 10 wins have come by KO. Romero is a former Silver Medalist in Freestyle Wrestling for Cuba and Souza is a 5 time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion. Different disciplines of grappling will be tested to find the next #1 Contender. Romero wins by KO.

            The Champion Chris Weidman is undefeated at 13-0 with 6 KO and 3 Sub wins. Luke Rockhold comes in with similar credentials 14-2 with 9 Sub and 3 KO’s. At 31 both Men are in the prime of their careers. In fact the two are similar in many ways. Rockhold, the former Strikeforce MW Champion, comes into the bout with four consecutive stoppage wins (3subs 1KO). Weidman dethroned Anderson Silva and has beaten everyone in his path. Weidman by UD.

            Finally the Main Event: Connor McGregor challenges Jose Aldo for the Featherweight Title. If you haven’t heard about this one yet… Everything has been said. A tough match up to call. I’m trusting Mystic Mac’s prediction 1^st round KO for “The Notorious”.

Fight Week December, 2015

Fight Week December, 2015

 

            The UFC’s biggest fight card of the year takes place on December, 12^th and it is the last of three great nights of MMA. The UFC kicks off Thursday night, with a card to air on Fight Pass, headlined by young Strawweights: Paige Vanzant and Rose Namajunas. Friday night the action moves to FS-1 for The Ultimate Fighter Finale, which will feature Frankie Edgar battling Chad Mendes in a Featherweight Main Event. Finally on Saturday two titles are on the line: Jose Aldo and Connor McGregor will get into the octagon for a heavily anticipated Featherweight Championship fight and former Strikeforce Champ Luke Rockhold challenges Chris Weidman for the UFC Middleweight strap.

With all these fights in just one weekend it will be easy to lose track and miss history being made, but don’t panic. Get out the scotch tape and fix those reading glasses, right here is the week’s brief breakdown.

Fox Sports-1 Thursday:

Paige Vanzant is 6-1 on her career with two Submission and one KO win. Last fight “12 Gauge” Submitted Alex Chambers in the 3^rd round by Armbar (1:01).

At just 23 years old Rose Namajunas and the 21 yr. old Vanzant may prove to be the future of the Strawweight Division. “Thug” comes into the bout 3-2 with all three wins by Sub. Her last a first round Rear Naked Choke at 2:47 over Angela Hill (10/3/15).

The Co-Main features 32 yr old Jim Miller taking on 12-2 Michael Chiesa. Miller is looking for his second straight win in the Lightweight Division. His last fight was a split decision over Danny Castillo (7/25/15).

Michael “Maverick” Chiesa is 5-2 in the UFC with 3 Subs. The 28 year old’s last fight was a UD over Mitch Clarke (4/4/15).

Also on this card is UFC’s hottest prospect, Sage Northcut. Northcut was discovered on the show Looking For a Fight staring Dana White. Then the 19 year old Stormed into the UFC in October with a 0:57 win over Francisco Trevino. “Super” Sage has finished all of his six fights, to date, 4 KO’s and 2 Subs. He takes on 12-4 Cody “The Pfist” Pfister.

11-0 Elias “The Spartan” Theodorou takes on dangerous, 11-3 Thiago Santos. Santos’ last fight lasted 0:29 before he head-kicked Steve Bosse to sleep. The win was his sixth first round stoppage of his career.

 

TUF Finale Friday:

Frankie “The Answer” Edgar has won his last 4 fights. In his 19-4-1 career he has won 10 decisions 5 KO’s and 4 Subs. He has a list of victims to include BJ Penn, Urijah Faber and Cub Swanson that have fallen to his relentless pressure.

TKO loss to Interim Champ Connor McGregor was the last time Chad Mendes stepped into the cage, but that was a short notice replacement. “Money” had only lost to Jose Aldo (twice) prior to the McGregor fight. At 17-3 with 7 KO’s Mendes comes to the Octagon sporting 100% Takedown defense.

The Lightweight division sees Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson riding a six fight win streak with 1 KO and 3 Subs matching up with Edson Barboza. The pair own 19 KO wins between them (10EB, 9TF). “El Cucuy” also has 6 Sub wins to Barboza’s 1. Look for Ferguson to lean on his ground skills in this one.

Also on this card: Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon brings his 25-10 record to face 16-6 Evan Dunham. Of Lauzon’s 25 wins only one has been by decision, 6KO’s and 18 Subs to his credit. There is a reason he always earns those bonus checks.

PPV Saturday:

            Finally the day will come, Jose Aldo and Connor McGregor will face off to unify the UFC Featherweight Championship. Aldo comes in the Champ at 29 years old and 25-1 on his career. The owner of 14 KO and 2 Sub wins, Aldo has beaten everyone they’ve put before him. His last loss was in 2005. That’s 10 years and 18 opponents undefeated.

Connor McGregor, the challenger, is 18-2 with 16 KO’s and 1 Sub and currently on a 14 fight win streak with 13 finishes. Last fight TKO win over Mendes (4:57 2^nd) for the Interim FW Championship.

            The Co-Main features a fight many are calling the best Middleweight Championship matchup ever. Chris Weidman looks to defend his title against former Strikeforce MW Champ Luke Rockhold. The two come in with similar: age, height and records on the stat sheet. At 13-0 the 31 yr. old Weidman has 6 KO and 3 Sub wins. Rockhold comes in also 31 with a record of 14-2 with 3 KO’s and 9 Subs. 3 of those Subs came in his last 3 consecutive fights: Lyoto Machida RNC (2^nd 2:31 4/18/15) Michael Bisping Guillotine Choke (2^nd 0:57 11/7/14) and Tim Boetsch Inverted Triangle/Kimura (1^st 2:08). Weidman comes in undefeated with his last fight a first round TKO of Vitor Belfort (2:53 5/23/15).

            Another bout that needed rescheduling is finally here Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza brings his 22-3-1 record to face Olympic Silver Medalist Yoel Romero. Both fighters are on hot streaks “Jacare” is on an eight fight win streak with seven finishes (5 Subs 2 KO) Romero is on a six fight run with five KO’s. Expect excitement in this MW Contender bout.

            In the Welterweight Division the #12 ranked Gunnar Nelson takes on 21-6 Demain Maia. Both fighters come in with 3 KO and 10 Sub wins each on record. Two grapplers each with developing stand up skills will likely slug it out on the feet for three rounds.

            In the FW division Max Holloway takes on “Lil Heathen” Jeremy Stephens. Stephens has powerful striking, the owner of 16 KO wins, KO’d Dennis Bermudez in the 3^rd (0:32) in his last bout. Holloway is on a 7 fight win streak with 4 KO and 2 Sub wins. Look for Holloway to roll right over Stephens in this one. “Lil Heathen” looked outclassed versus DB, but landed a hard shot to change his fate. Heavy punchers always have a chance, but…

            Urijah Faber is also on this card with a 32-8 record Faber has seen it all. He takes on 11-2 Frankie Saenz, who is riding a seven fight win streak (3 of those in UFC).

Breaking Down: Bellator 147

Breaking Down: Bellator 147

 

 

           

            Bellator 147 takes place Friday, December 4, 2015. The main card will air on Spike TV at 9pm and prelims to stream on spike.com at 5pm. The event takes place in, main eventer, Josh Thomson’s hometown, San Jose. When current Bellator President, Scott Coker ran Strikeforce the promotion held numerous events in San Jose and Thomson was featured on the main card for 9 of those events, including a trilogy with Gilbert Melendez. In September “The Punk” debuted in Bellator with a 3^rd round Triangle submission over Mike Bronzoulis in San Jose.

            Prior to his Bellator win Thomson dropped his last 3 fights in the UFC: Tony Ferguson (UD 7/15/15), Bobby Green (SD 7/26/14), Benson Henderson (SD 1/25/14). The Lightweight holds wins over notable fighters including: Nate Diaz, TKO (2^nd 3:44, 4/20/13), KJ Noons (UD 3/3/12) and Duane Ludwig Sub (2^nd 4:36). Josh Thompson takes on Pablo Villaseca in the Main Event at Bellator 147.

Villaseca fights out of Santiago, Chile and brings a record of 10-1 to the San Jose University Event Center, Friday night. In the 28 year old’s ten wins, three have come by KO and four by Submission. The single loss on his record came in his Bellator debut in June, by way of a split decision to Bobby Cooper. Villaseca bounced back with an Arm-bar Submission of Marcos Cornejo (9/19/15 Arena Tour 7) in Argentina.

What else to watch for:

The Co-Main event features two of the promotions most experienced fighters, they have fought, in a combined, 73 fights. 24-4-1 Georgi Karakhanyan takes on 35-9 Daniel Weichel. It didn’t take Karakhanyan long to find the win over Bubba Jenkins in his first fight with Bellator in nearly 4 years. He secured a Guillotine Choke at 1:49 in the 1^st. It was his 14^th win by Sub. GK holds notable wins over: Lance Palmer (Sub Guillotine 4:40, 3^rd), Din Thomas (UD 4/12/13), and Micah Miller (UD 9/7/12).

At only 31 years old it’s difficult to believe that Daniel “The Weasel” Weichel made his pro debut on May 12^th 2002. In his last bout he lost by KO (2^nd 0:32) to Patricio Pitbull, but prior to the loss he was on a seven fight win streak, capped off by a Split Decision win over Pat Curran in February. With 21 Sub wins of his own the grappling in this contest just might neutralize each other. Each fighter has proven striking power: Weichel owns five KO wins and GK has four.

Interesting timing for this Lightweight rematch:

Derek Anderson 12-2-1 beat Patricky Pitbull 14-6 by UD 9/7/13. The two hold 14 KO wins combined (9 for Pitbull) and 7 Subs (6 for Anderson). That’s 21 early stoppages in 26 total wins. Anderson lost his last fight a SD to Brent Primus (8/28/15) while Patricky is coming off a UD over Saad Awad on the same card. While Patricky holds KO wins over: Derek Campos (2^nd 0:52 4/18/14), David Rickels (2^nd 0:54 3/21/14) and Kurt Pellegrino (11/26/11 1^st 0:50) Anderson will enjoy a sizeable height advantage, 6’0” to Pitbull’s 5’7”.

Who cares about two guys with six wins each?

Mario Soto has only seen the final bell once in his career, it’s also the only time he has lost in his 6-1 career. “DR. Mario” has one KO and five Submission wins. Adam Piccolotti has a balanced undefeated career. At 6-0 Piccolotti has two KO, two Sub and two Dec wins. In September he Submitted Salvador Becerra (2^nd 1:47) in his second fight with Bellator. Expect a finish in this Lightweight fight.

Tune in on time

Brian Rogers’ move up to Light Heavyweight comes at an alarming time. He has lost four of his last five fights as a Middleweight. Rogers is fighting in his eleventh fight with Bellator and gone 4-6 with 3 KO’s. Brian Rogers takes on Virgil Zwicker (14-4) who has ten KO and two Sub wins. Zwicker’s last fight was a KO win over Razak Al-Hassan (3:51 1^st 5/15/15) marking his eighth first round KO stoppage. This is the first fight on the televised card so tune in on time or you may miss this fight.