The UFC has a big week coming up with both UFC Fight for the Troops and UFC Fight Night 32 on deck. The events bring a combined 23 high-level MMA events that should satisfy all who watch the bouts.
First up is UFC Fight for the Troops 3, which is headlined by former Strikeforce middleweight contender Tim Kennedy and Rafael Natal. Natal stepped in on late notice when Lyoto Machida moved over to the card in Manchester for the injured Michael Bisping.
The card promises to be solid despite the lack of high-level names. Let’s take a look and make some predictions for the fight night bonuses.
Submission of the Night: Michael Chiesa
I doubt we will see any twisters or Peruvian neckties, so don’t expect the Submission of the Night to blow you away.
However, there are some opportunities for tapouts. There are some solid grapplers on the list, which could lead to some subs.
Michael Chiesa is a suffocating top grappler and probably has better takedown chops than Colton Smith. Wrestlers are not typically strong fighting off their back, and I expect that’s the case with Smith.
Chiesa will secure a takedown and outwork Smith from the top. He will earn a tap and potentially a bonus check.
Also in the running: Ronny Markes, Seth Baczynski, Derek Brunson
Knockout of the Night: Rustam Khabilov
This was a really tough call to make, as I don’t see many of the fights ending via knockout. There are a lot of grapplers on the card, and for every bout featuring a striker, it features an equally tough striker in it as well.
Rustam Khabilov has been a buzzsaw since entering the UFC. He has suplexed his way into the spotlight, as seen in victories over Vinc Pichel and Yancy Medeiros.
Jorge Masvidal is as tough as they come, but his wrestling defense isn’t as tight as he’d like it to be. Add to that the fact that he could get tossed around like a ragdoll and we could see yet another suplex showcase that ends in devastating fashion.
Also in the running: Liz Carmouche, Yoel Romero
Fight of the Night: Chris Camozzi-Lorenz Larkin
Despite the lack of star power on this card, there is a high possibility that there will be some great fights put on.
The best could be a Muay Thai showdown between heavy banger Lorenz Larkin and technical striker Chris Camozzi. It’s on the Facebook portion of the card, and it really shouldn’t be as this could be a real barn burner.
Camozzi is tough in the clinch and has a granite chin. Larkin can knock any man out with his great punches and kicks.
It will be tough for an undercard bout not on TV to get the Fight of the Night bonus, but the fight will be that good. Be sure to watch the Facebook portion of the card or you may miss a classic.
Also in the running: Jorge Masvidal-Rustam Khabilov, James Krause-Bobby Green, George Roop-Francisco Rivera
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