With the UFC running three events in the month of November (UFC 138, UFC on FOX and UFC 139), the next three weeks will prove to be the perfect meal for UFC fans. For the fans, the UK card will serve as the appetizer, UFC on Fox is the main course and UFC 139 in San Jose is the dessert.
The next three weeks will be exactly what the UFC ordered from the “How to Get New Fans” menu and should also keep the hardcore, devoted fans excited and committed to the product.
Appetizer is defined as just enough food to keep you hungry, yet tasty enough to have you wanting and craving for more. The UFC has served up a few intriguing match-ups, new prime time prospects, and the premiere of the five-round non-title main event. UFC 138 has a solid top three fights on the card, with each worthy of the entire MMA world.
First up, the former UFC title contender, Thiago Alves, takes on blue-chip prospect Papy Abedi, who is making not only his UFC debut, but dropping to welterweight for the first time—talk about being thrown into deep water.
This has the potential to be a promising debut against the level of current stars Junior Dos Santos or Anderson Silva. Don’t look for Alves to lay down, as he is still among the most skilled fighters in the division despite his 1-3 record in his last four fights.
Next, you have a fighter who has the pedigree of the Champion and hasn’t lost since April 14, 2005. Renan Barao, the top training partner of current UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, will look to showcase his talents against the always ready, WEC veteran Brad Pickett. Expect fireworks in this contest.
Last up among the appetizers is the main event with a new, progressive twist. Over the last 26 months, Chris Leben and Mark Munoz have been a combined 10-2 with six combined finishes. Both fighters have been a crash course into contention, with the victor likely to be only a win away from a fight for the UFC belt.
The lasting taste of the appetizer is one of the cool and refreshing flavor of peace of mind, the peace of mind that the main event fights, ones with huge implications, will be decided in five-rounds, and not three any longer.
Next up is the main course, which typically is created with a lot of hard work, dedication and planning. This is one that has been stewing and brewing for nearly a decade, with master chefs Dana White, Joe Silva and the Fertitta brothers each with spoons and stirrers in their hands.
UFC on FOX has been a project that has been in the works for years and years with the UFC and its fans finally being able to see and taste all of their hard work and devotion. The focus and star of the plate is the UFC Heavyweight Title fight, with Champion Cain Velasquez taking on the No. 1 contender Junior Dos Santos.
This is a fight that fans everywhere will gobble up, even those who may no be fans before. With FOX pushing the event to new heights, the amount of pleasure and success is sure to be amazing.
Accompanying the title fight with the perfect side dish is the No. 1 contender bout between spark plug and fan favorite Clay Guida and the ever improving Ben Henderson. Each is riding winning streaks, highlighted by knocking off No. 1 lightweight contenders Jim Miller and Anthony Pettis.
This lightweight fight is a worthy co-main event and one that will also be the talked about, as it has the potential to be an amazing main course all on its own. Sprinkle some celebrities and hype that is worthy of a heavyweight title event and UFC on FOX is sure to be a huge hit among the consumers.
Finally, we get to the desserts, the final flavors for ones dining experience which are often sweet to leave a great, lasting taste. This month the UFC has decided to serve up a ice cream sundae with all the toppings, making sure to included any flavor a fan desires.
On this sundae we have top prospects, legendary fighters, a long awaited rematch all surrounding a fight which fans have been waiting for years. Topping the dessert we have top prospects and 20-year-old Michael McDonald taking another step towards stardom, while middleweight up-and-comer Chris Weidman will look to continue his rise toward the top of the division by fighting the ever-tough Tom Lawlor.
For the main scoops we have the rematch of Urijah Faber and Brian Bowles, with the winner likely to take another step closer to getting revenge on UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominic Cruz, who handed each fighter their last loss.
The co-main event is a combination of legend Wanderli Silva and uber-talented Cung Le, with this having the looks of both a farewell and a debut. Each possess the skills to cause explosions of the tastebuds, and it carries a huge following with Silva as an MMA legend and Le a staple of the San Jose MMA scene.
All of this surrounds the match-up between Shogun Rua and Dan Henderson who, despite having been in Pride and the UFC together for many years, have never fought. Both fighters are coming off huge victories over major players in the sport and are looking to capture UFC gold within their next few fights. This match-up pleases everyone and will certainly leave fans with a great taste in their mouth.
Overall, the month of November has all the tools, flavors and possibilities to please any current, old or new UFC fans. This is a meal I can’t wait to devour.
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