Author: Chris Roling

Saturday, Staples Center in Los Angeles plays host to the historic UFC 184.

There, female fighters carry the card at one of the promotion’s biggest events of the year. The co-main event is a whopper, as Holly Holm—one of the sport’s premier rising names—squares off with Raquel Pennington.

The attention, of course, lasers in on the headline act when Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano step into the Octagon.

While an injury to Chris Weidman helped rearrange the card to its final format, the women involved, along with the wealth of notable bouts on the rest of the card, ensure Saturday will go down in UFC history.

 

UFC 184 PPV Schedule

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28

Fight Times (ET): Fight Pass at 7 p.m.; Fox Sports 1 prelims 8 p.m.; pay-per-view at 10 p.m.

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles

Live Stream: UFC.tv

 

UCF 184 Full Card and Picks

 

Picks for Top Bouts

Alan Jouban vs. Richard Walsh

The main card touts a bit of intrigue near the beginning of the night when Richard Walsh and Alan Jouban tap gloves and go to work.

Both enter off losses last year, although this is about Walsh, not Jouban.

At 26 years old, Walsh still has a bright future in the sport and needs to put on a show with his advanced striking repertoire in order to generate a fair amount of buzz in order to take the next step.

For Walsh, the spotlight is a chance to place himself on the map.

“2015 is 3-0 Richy Walsh,” he said, per Thomas Gerbasi of UFC.com. “I’m going 3-0, fighting on main cards and we’re going to be finishing fights in dramatic fashion. I’m going to fight on home soil for my last two fights, and I just want to make a name for myself and put Australian MMA on the map.”

The 32-year-old Jouban is no slouch in the striking department, either, meaning observers have a rather fun bout on their hands before things get more technical further down the card.

Jouban holds an advantage if things get to the mat, but the younger Walsh is quicker and can evade offensive barrages, pick and choose his spots and take home a decision.

Prediction: Walsh by TKO

 

Jake Ellenberger vs. Josh Koscheck

“Obscurity” is the best way to describe both Josh Koscheck and Jake Ellenberger right now.

Both are shells of their former selves in the welterweight conversation—both losers of three straight.

Obviously, that sort of talk goes out the window with a victory Saturday. Ellenberger is 29 with something to prove, while Koscheck only looks to further cement his legacy and move toward ending things on a high note.

As Reed Kuhn of Fightnomics.com illustrates in chart form, neither veteran holds a major advantage:

Now for something that doesn’t make a tale of the tape: Koscheck is a mess entering the Octagon for the first time since 2013.

Some may suggest that such a layoff is a good thing. The body heals. So does the mind.

Remember that the Buffalo, New York, native enters after two violent knockouts at the hands of Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler, something that may weigh heavy on his mind in the ring with a talented striker such as Ellenberger.

The bout is one of the night’s more unpredictable, but sometimes it’s the littlest of things that makes all the difference. Ellenberger has his future to fight for, as Koscheck simply attempts to dodge his past.

Prediction: Ellenberger by TKO

 

Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano

Saturday is the first time in a long time that Rousey encounters an opponent who actually has a defined way to win—on paper.

Zingano is no joke. She touts a 74 percent strike success and a perfect grappling success tally at UFC.com, meaning she brings a set of offensive balance to the table Rousey doesn’t usually face.

Rousey seems to understand what the relentless, nothing-to-lose Zingano brings to the table, too, as she told Elias Cepeda of Fox Sports:

Cat is different because not only is she undefeated but she has the kind of indomitable spirit that I haven’t seen exhibited by anyone else, at the level that she has. …

She’s been down in fights before, and every single time, she’s come back and finished the other person. And given everything she’s been through lately in her life outside of fighting, I really feel like she’s one of those people that’s impossible to intimidate, so I don’t even try.

Believe it or not, this approach helps Rousey in the best way.

Complacency fells the best of the best. Ask Anderson Silva. The fact Rousey takes her opponent so seriously showcases an ability to ignore her ridiculous showings to date in which her matches hardly lasted four minutes a pop because she’s the best fighter in the promotion.

This is going to be a different flavor of fight for Rousey fans. Zingano‘s knockout power is nothing to toy with, so the first round will likely be a feeling-out phase before Rousey really gets to working at her signature submissions.

So long as Rousey can avoid the knockout shot, things will eventually hit the mat. From there, it’s all Rousey.

Just expect a test for her in a way each opponent has failed to do so far.

Prediction: Rousey by submission

 

Stats and info courtesy of UFC.com unless otherwise specified.

 

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Call UFC 183 the “It’s About Time” card.

It’s about time the greatest MMA fighter in history jumps back into the Octagon. It’s about time the erratic, unpredictable personality of Nick Diaz does the same.

There are no straps on the line Saturday night. There doesn’t need to be, either—The Spider sells a card on his own. It doesn’t hurt that the co-main event features Tyron Woodley and Kelvin Gastelum or that Al Iaquinta and Joe Lauzon will get down to business in brutal fashion.

The card feels like a long time coming. Top to bottom, relevant fights that will rearrange the ladder in most divisions as well as end or jump-start career trajectories litter the card.

It makes for one unforgettable night as UFC goes head to head with football and other events.

 

UFC 183 Full Card and Predictions

 

Top Storylines to Watch

Bantamweight Showdown

Ronda Rousey awaits.

While a preliminary bout, few showdowns exude more importance than the encounter between Miesha Tate and Sara McMann.

McMann is hot on the comeback trail after a loss about a year ago to Rousey, thanks to a triumph over Lauren Murphy. Tate rests in front of her on the totem pole for the time being, thanks to her stringing consecutive wins together.

Try not to forget that these two have traded verbal spars since Tate notched a win last September:

While the call-out oozes respect, McMann surely understands it is now or never.

At 34 years old, the Gaffney, South Carolina, native still does not meet expectations. Thanks to a silver medal from the 2004 Olympics, most figured McMann would take UFC by storm with her wrestling prowess, but so far, no dice.

If McMann is going to flip the switch, it needs to be now, especially against Tate, who at times is very susceptible to takedowns.

Rousey defends her title again at UFC 184. After that, who knows? There is no promise Tate or McMann will be next in line, but a dominant performance from either might just do the trick.

 

It’s About Time

The clock is ticking. 

Both Silva and Diaz do not have all that long left

It is only natural, then, that legacy chatter rules the day when it comes to their showdown. Diaz is a loser of two in a row. After an extensive break, a win over Silva would do wonders as he fades from the spotlight. 

Everyone knows Silva’s story at this juncture. He danced his way to a loss against Chris Weidman and then shattered his leg off a check in the rematch.

Recovery complete, The Spider tells Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports he is all business this time around.

“I’m faster, stronger and happier. And UFC is giving me one more chance to show my job and what I can do inside the Octagon. I go to work. [I’m going] to show you, for my fans … my talent.”

Diaz is the definition of a wild card, though. The controversial fighter who was suspended then dropped by Georges St-Pierre must make a swift adaptation Saturday night as he jumps weight classes to dance with Silva.

The implications are obvious. Diaz is a win-by-flurry kind of fighter who will stand in and take it on the chin if it means he lands shots too. He’s predictable, and the chance he loses speed after weight gain is very real, although the last thing anyone should do is count him out.

For Silva, his usual approach should do the trick. It always has when he’s not showboating or suffering freak injuries. If the legend has one more shot at a title and subsequent run in him, he needs his hand raised Saturday.

 

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UFC 183 is sandwiched between the hype of Conor McGregor in Boston and the Super Bowl.

Hence the quiet nature of its approach.

Alas, an event headlined by a showdown between Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, what many refer to as a superfight, is as great as it sounds.

Sure, both men enter on two-fight losing streaks. There are no straps at stake. One is flirting with the age of 40 and has not fought in more than a year. The other even longer.

If one had to bet, though, UFC 183 winding up as one of the better events of the year seems to be safe odds. Sometimes, pre-fight hype and other outside factors are not necessary when such names take the MGM Grand in Las Vegas by storm.

 

UFC 183 Full Card and Predictions

 

Top Matchups to Watch

Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum

A spot on the 170-pound hierarchy is up for grabs when Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley and Kelvin Gastelum square off before the main event.

To say Gastelum is at a career turning point may not be an exaggeration. The 23-year-old star needs to move his record to 11-0 against a veteran presence or face a serious trip down the ladder in a crowded division.

At the end of the day, perhaps the 32-year-old Woodley put it best.

“I remember being like Kelvin, that spunky kid coming off a great win,” Woodley said, via FoxSports.com’s Stan McNeal. “I ran into a humbling moment. I think he’ll have that same experience.”

Woodley has no qualms about swapping leather with the best of the best. He is one of the best strikers in the division, but he can also take to the mat with emphasis if the fight necessitates the approach.

On the other hand, Gastelum is a bit of a one-dimensional fighter who relies on the submission. So long as Woodley can avoid that fate while off his feet, the man who owes each of his UFC triumphs to TKO or KO will emerge the victor Saturday night.

Prediction: Woodley by TKO

 

Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz

Fluke or not? 

That seems to be the question most ask of Silva’s two losses to Chris Weidman, once getting tagged while dancing and once breaking his leg off a check.

It matters little as The Spider makes his return to the Octagon, although forgive those who shudder at the thought of a fading legend on a downtrend at the same time Kobe Bryant crumbles before the eyes of the globe.

Diaz is one of the wilder personalities in the promotion, which in part explains his confidence as he heads into the matchup against a struggling Silva, as UFC captures:

The problem is both fighters are on the rebound. It is easy to fall into the trap of wondering what Silva has in the tank, when in reality, both of his losses are questionable and Diaz has been on the shelf for quite some time too.

It is also easy to forget that Diaz is a walking puzzle. He’s good upright or on his back, but in a predictable sort of way. Against someone as quick and explosive as Silva, this may lead to a bloodbath as the better athlete avoids and counters obvious advances.

Silva is not his usual self anymore, sure. He surely understands the bout needs to end in a quick manner. But Diaz‘s unwillingness to change his style and fight smart will result in a definitive loss.

Prediction: Silva by TKO

 

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UFC 181 defined the promotion’s capabilities in the surprise department each time out. 

There were grisly knockouts. Cringe-inducing submissions. Upsets and favorites putting it all together to make serious statements. There was even a special announcement from a guy named CM Punk:

All kidding aside, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler’s performance against Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks even proved two things: The division is wide-open, and rematches are actually allowed to flirt with the quality of the originals.

Below, let’s review the card and highlight some of the more notable shocks that occurred in the Octagon on the night.

 

UCF 181 Results

 

Most Surprising Results

Josh Samman‘s Explosiveness

For just a moment on Saturday, it looked like any other Josh Samman fight. The 26-year-old star and Eddie Gordon traded blows in the opening round and mixed in some precautionary wrestling until the buzzer.

Early in the second, though, Samman exploded for an emphatic finish.

Samman delivered a shin to Gordon’s chin that had his opponent out cold before he even hit the mat.

Matt Erickson of USA Today captures one of the night’s most vicious knockouts:

Kevin Iole and ESPN’s Brett Okamoto put it best:

After an absence from the Octagon for various reasons since April 2013, the Tallahassee, Florida, native is back on the radar of anyone and everyone. Not only that, but he has a highlight knockout that the globe will not soon forget.

The only direction Samman can go at this point is up.

 

Todd Duffee Needs Just 33 Seconds

Todd Duffee knows a thing about dramatic comebacks, too.

One of the most promising heavyweight prospects on the planet some time ago, Duffee‘s career was in limbo for a stretch due to injuries and performance issues that at one point saw him cut by the promotion.

Friday’s encounter with Anthony Hamilton was Duffee‘s first foray into the Octagon since December 2012. As MMAFighting.com illustrates, Duffee has a knack for quick finishes:

Of Duffee‘s last six wins, the longest encounter came in his last fight, in which Philip De Fries lasted all of 2:04 before a TKO.

At 29 years old, Duffee celebrated his birthday in style by moving his record to 9-2 and ensuring that the promotion and its worldwide fanbase understands he is back on the right track after a number of detours.

 

Anthony Pettis Comes Full Circle

Saturday featured several proclamations of sorts, perhaps none louder than Anthony Pettis‘ accomplishments. 

Missing in action from the Octagon since August 2013, Pettis had something to prove against Gilbert Melendez in a lightweight title fight.

Issues of consistency and health have marred one of this generation’s most skilled offensive fighters. There were no such problems Saturday, though, as Pettis wasted little time in Round 2 by applying a guillotine choke that forced John McCarthy to end the proceedings.

After an early slumber, Pettis appeared to turn on the afterburners to get the victory. After hoisting the strap, he broke down his performance, via John Morgan of MMAJunkie.com:

I feel like I had a great performance. Gil’s a tough guy. I was expecting a war out there, and he delivered. The first round, I tried to avoid the takedowns as best as possible. But I think once I got to striking range, I delivered. I hit him with some good shots. I hit him with some nice jabs. I think I did enough to prove that I deserve this belt.

The fact that Pettis‘ win gets chalked as a surprise says a lot about where he’s at in his career right now.

While one of the most electric fighters in the sport, Pettis has a lot to prove in the realm of public perception when it comes to his ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level each time out.

After Saturday it is quite clear that Pettis is on the warpath once again. For fans of elite offensive mixed martial arts, this is the most pleasant surprise of all from Saturday’s event.

 

Note: Stats and info courtesy of UFC.com unless otherwise specified.

 

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Sometimes a predictable ride has a surprise twist or turn that makes it enjoyable, which certainly sums up UFC 180 in Mexico City this past Saturday quite well.

Most expected Fabricio Werdum to become interim UFC heavyweight champion at the event with a win over the surging Mark Hunt, but the avenue by which he did so was quite unexpected.

That speaks true for most of the night. High-quality action throughout the card saw some unexpected winners in what was a strong showing for the promotion on one of the most critical weekends of the calendar.

While difficult to pick out specific top performers, three certainly stand out upon close inspection of the full card.

 

UFC 180 Results

 

Notable Winners

Kelvin Gastelum

Talk about a career-defining victory. 

Kelvin Gastelum is just 23 years old, but after Saturday’s triumph over longtime top welterweight Jake Ellenberger, the sport now has a new superstar to watch at an intriguing weight class.

This was not some fluky win, either. Gastelum was on the wrong end of a takedown, put on a superb scramble and capitalized on his opponent’s unprotected neck to lock in a rear-naked choke that ended things in the first round.

As UFC notes on Twitter, the rising star has quickly found himself among the best of the best:

Gastelum was ranked just outside of the top 10 in the division entering Saturday, but that is sure to change in a hurry with his stunning upset.

Now that he remains undefeated in the promotion and has proven he can win via other outlets besides a decision, the sky is the limit. Which fighters actually want to step in the Octagon with him is another conversation entirely, but title contention certainly appears to be in Gastelum‘s future after Saturday’s launching pad.

 

Gabriel Benitez

Saturday saw Gabriel Benitez take a predictable approach he never truly deviated from against a dangerous Humberto Brown.

The stubbornness eventually paid off.

It was clear from the onset that Benitez wanted to nab a submission victory by way of a guillotine choke, something even his corner could be heard on the pay-per-view telling him to stop attempting after Brown repeatedly shot the attempts down.

In the third round, though, Benitez came through by way of that very move in a standing position, an eye-opening finisher considering that choke usually gets a fighter a victory on the mat, not upright.

Considering Brown is a submission artist with three wins via that avenue, Saturday was a key point in Benitez’s recent career as he moved to 17-4. That makes it three wins in a row and a serious statement to the rest of the featherweight division at the same time.

Quietly, the bout was one of Saturday’s most entertaining. Two The Ultimate Fighter Latin America competitors danced. It was also one of the most important as the promotion continues to expand its horizons.

 

Fabricio Werdum

Of course, the most notable finish came in the main event. 

Again, most expected Werdum to come away with the victory. He was ranked higher, and Hunt was not only fighting on short notice but doing so at a lighter weight than he likely preferred.

The big-hitting Hunt came out in the first round throwing his typical bombs and connected on a handful that clearly staggered the No. 1 contender. Werdum’s strength is on the mat, so his decision to stand up and trade blows was a bit perplexing.

Still, it was clear Werdum was on the hunt to make a statement. He did just that in the second round in emphatic fashion with a flying knee that dropped the Super Samoan for good. Ariel Helwani paints the picture well:

“Winning a belt like this is a dream,” Werdum said, per Kevin Iole of Yahoo.com. “It’s a dream come true and a lot of work, not months, it’s years. I have two [victories], two wins that are history. The win over Fedor was very special, but today was the most special day of my life.”

Werdum’s comeback story has come full circle. It is quite apparent that he is one of the promotion’s top fighters no matter how it gets sliced, as Chuck Mindenhall points out:

Make it five in a row for Werdum, who is going to get a crack at Cain Velasquez sooner rather than later.

Given his recent show of form, how that fight unfolds is quite difficult to tell. For now, most can bask in what was a worthy headlining act of a stacked card.

 

Note: Stats and info courtesy of UFC.com unless otherwise specified.

 

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