Author: Mike Shiekman

UFC 158 Predictions: Projecting Winners at Top of the Card

While the mainstream buildup for UFC 158 can be credited to Nick Diaz’s antics, the main card is full of quality matchups that will delight the casual fan and MMA geek alike. Johny Hendricks goes for his 10th win and a shot at the Georges St. Pie…

While the mainstream buildup for UFC 158 can be credited to Nick Diaz’s antics, the main card is full of quality matchups that will delight the casual fan and MMA geek alike.

Johny Hendricks goes for his 10th win and a shot at the Georges St. Pierre-Diaz winner, while two contenders from “The Ultimate Fighter” square off. Add the main event between St. Pierre and Diaz, and that should make this MMA night one to remember.

As Saturday approaches, it’s prediction time for these top bouts. Scroll down for picks and explanations.

 

Nick Diaz vs. Georges St. Pierre

This bout could get a little sloppy, as Diaz is returning from a 13-month suspension and St. Pierre returned from a yearlong rehab from injury in November, but overall should impress due to the clash of styles and personalities.

The buildup to this main event has echoed a WWE match, but nevertheless many MMA fans are waiting for the moment when St. Pierre puts Diaz down onto the canvas. St. Pierre is the more patient and experienced fighter, which will prove to be the difference. 

Winner: St. Pierre

 

Johny Hendricks vs. Carlos Condit

I’m buying Hendricks’ motivation in this matchup, as he’ll face the winner of Diaz and St. Pierre.

Since Condit has a chance to take Hendricks out of his element with his length, Hendricks would be wise to use his wrestling prowess. Turning the fight into a wrestling match would be to Condit’s disadvantage, as he’s had trouble with dueling on the mat.

In the end, Hendricks has more to fight for and more skills to dispose of Condit.

Winner: Hendricks

 

Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt

Marquardt gets a huge opportunity to take out Ellenberger and vault up not only the ranks but also the perception of UFC fans.

There’s a reason that Ellenberger is held in such high esteem though. I’m seeing a standing knockout in my crystal ball.

Winner: Ellenberger

 

Chris Camozzi vs. Nick Ring

This matchup will provide some separation between two middleweights. These “Ultimate Fighters” will provide an entertaining matchup, as both are full of confidence from beating up lesser competition.

I like Ring’s ability to control his opponent on the mat, which is where this fight will conclude.

Winner: Ring

 

Mike Shiekman is a Breaking News Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow his sports musings and random life observations on Twitter.

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UFC 156: Fighters Who Have Much to Prove in Saturday’s Slate

All fighters think they something to prove and use that as motivation, but a select few at UFC 156 are squarely on the hot seat. Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar headline the fighting exhibition at the Mandalay Bay, and rightfully so. Both fighters have ear…

All fighters think they something to prove and use that as motivation, but a select few at UFC 156 are squarely on the hot seat.

Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar headline the fighting exhibition at the Mandalay Bay, and rightfully so. Both fighters have earned their place at the top of the event card, while the names below them still have much to prove.

Of all of the players on the main card, here are the three that will have a chip on their shoulder in Las Vegas.

Alistair Overeem

“The Reem” will be in his first fight since being suspended for a banned substance.

A year and a half ago it was Overeem who was the next-in-line to face Junior Dos Santos for the heavyweight title. Now he makes his return to the octagon after testing positive for testosterone; ironically, he will face Antonio Silva also known as “Big Foot”.

With a win over Brock Lesnar, no one doubts “The Reem’s” resume, but he needs a current accomplishment to satisfy doubters.

Rashad Evans

Evans has only been defeated twice, but in his most recent bout he was defeated by former teammate Jon Jones.

Fast forward ten months later and Evans is primed for a rebound win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. He’ll rely on his always-dependable hands and grappling prowess.

If Evans were to lose, the 33-year-old will be in the worst rut in his career. He can reverse the hate with a win over his older opponent.

Joseph Benavidez and Ian McCall

Benavidez and McCall both need a win to stay in the flyweight title race and will have to duel it out for that right.

Both men couldn’t outlast Demetrious Johnson last year and now will have to prove themselves for another shot at the title. Benavidez’s UFC chops are in question as well, as he comes from the WEC’s bantamweight division to take on McCall.

Only one fighter will get back on their feet in the octagon. The other will not be happy to be in Las Vegas.

 

Mike Shiekman is a Breaking News Writer for Bleacher Report.

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UFC on Fuel TV 5: Why Dana White Should Provide More Free MMA Action

No sport has a brighter future than MMA fighting. Dana White’s UFC is flourishing and has yet to reach a ton of untapped markets. More free viewership will solve that problem. The UFC needs more free programming to continue widening its audience. The U…

No sport has a brighter future than MMA fighting. Dana White‘s UFC is flourishing and has yet to reach a ton of untapped markets.

More free viewership will solve that problem. The UFC needs more free programming to continue widening its audience.

The UFC’s current deal with Fox entails four shows on cable each year, with six on Fuel TV and eight on FX. UFC took another big step into the European market with UFC on Fuel TV in Nottingham, England on Saturday.

The majority of the organization’s revenues comes from pay-per-view sales, but there aren’t enough quality cards for this current revenue model to be sustainable. The UFC can extend its reach with free programming, putting more shows on cable, so it can gather more viewers for future pay-per-views.

Besides, who doesn’t like free stuff?

Dana White did speak about more shows in UFC’s future; what he actually does, though, is up in the air (via MMAjunkie.com):

“When we were doing five shows a year, when we were doing eight shows a year – you can’t grow the sport with five or eight shows a year. You can’t bring in enough talent, enough guys can’t make money. You can’t cultivate all these different markets. You have to have fights. To get it done and do it the right way, you’ve got to have the TV deals.”

The UFC should look no further than the WWE business model. Sure, the WWE is more of an entertainment business, but it offers a ton of free content through its two shows, Raw and SmackDown.

While there are matches on those shows that UFC couldn’t match in quantity, the WWE spends at least one half of its shows pumping up matches for its pay-per-view events.

Dana White has begun to work creatively to market his product, expanding internationally (with potential shows in India, China and potentially Brazil), but the organization is missing out on opportunities for more viewership.

For example, the UFC could hold more shows on cable with “undercard” matches and pump up its fighters on its pay-per-view shows. The organization needs to turn its fighters into endearing players rather than just boxers and wrestlers who fight in a cage.

Like the WWE, the UFC should strive to be more annual. The canceling of UFC 151 didn’t hurt demand, but the UFC missed out on a financial boon and a chance for growth.

Demand hasn’t shrunk for UFC since it struck a cable deal, but the organization isn’t capitalizing on a golden opportunity.

Dana White can do better, and the UFC can be better. Sometimes you need to throw a bone to do it.

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