Another year, another edition of the infamous “5 Prospects the UFC Should Sign” series.
We as MMA fans are a little older and a little wiser. We’re getting accustomed to more and more MMA popping up in the mainstream.
It wasn’t long ago that the UFC an…
Another year, another edition of the infamous “5 Prospects the UFC Should Sign” series.
We as MMA fans are a little older and a little wiser. We’re getting accustomed to more and more MMA popping up in the mainstream.
It wasn’t long ago that the UFC and Bellator were seemingly the only options on TV. Now, in addition to the UFC being featured on the Fox networks and Bellator on Spike TV, CBS Sports has Titan Fighting Championship and NBC Sports has World Series of Fighting, among other things.
First, we take a look at the heavyweights. It’s a division that has recently grown with talent, some of whom would have made this list. Guys like Jack May, Ruan Potts, Alexey Oleinik and Ruslan Magomedov were recently acquired by the UFC and plan on fighting in the near future.
For now, we focus on five more guys the UFC can bring in. They are a mix of vets and young guns, but all should be considered prospective fighters for the world’s largest MMA promotion.
UFC 171 provided tons of welterweight action on Saturday, offering a title fight in the main event and a couple of pivotal contender’s bouts on the main card.
Johny Hendricks finally captured the title with a decision win over Robbie Lawler in an enter…
UFC 171 provided tons of welterweight action on Saturday, offering a title fight in the main event and a couple of pivotal contender’s bouts on the main card.
Johny Hendricks finally captured the title with a decision win over Robbie Lawler in an entertaining, back-and-forth scrap. It was a sweet victory for Hendricks, who many believe should have already earned the belt in his November bout with Georges St. Pierre.
Let’s take a look at the welterweight ranks now and see where each top-10 fighter lies.
UFC 171 marks the return to pay-per-view for the world’s largest MMA promotion on Saturday. Headlined by a welterweight title bout, the card boasts a deep lineup from the main event to the bottom of the card.
Johny Hendricks will meet Robbie Lawler for…
UFC 171 marks the return to pay-per-view for the world’s largest MMA promotion on Saturday. Headlined by a welterweight title bout, the card boasts a deep lineup from the main event to the bottom of the card.
Johny Hendricks will meet Robbie Lawler for the vacant 170-pound title. It marks the first time in more than five years that we will have an undisputed welterweight champion not named Georges St-Pierre.
As for the prelims, I bring you another edition of picks. The average-at-best picks have continued, as not going with my gut on Louis Gaudinot and IlirLatifi cost me. I still sit above .500 though, looking to break out with eight prelim picks here.
Without further ado, let’s make some predictions on UFC 171’s prelims.
UFC 171 is fast approaching, and the fans eagerly await fight night on Saturday. That is because one of the most stacked cards in recent memory could provide a clearer vision of certain weight classes, especially the welterweight division.
The card is …
UFC 171 is fast approaching, and the fans eagerly await fight night on Saturday. That is because one of the most stacked cards in recent memory could provide a clearer vision of certain weight classes, especially the welterweight division.
The card is headlined by Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler, who will fight for the vacant welterweight title. The co-feature will see Carlos Condit face Tyron Woodley, which could provide the first contender to the winner of Lawler vs. Hendricks.
Before we think of all that, let’s take a look at who might be walking home with some extra change in their pocket. As usual, the performance bonuses will be based on the best knockout and submission that may come from the event.
Performance of the Night No. 1: Carlos Condit
Many people think that Tyron Woodley is going to grind out Carlos Condit. I have a hunch that Condit can outgrapple and submit Woodley.
“The Natural Born Killer” has a very tricky, slick guard. He throws up triangle chokes and armbars like they’re nothing, in addition to having good sweeps and the ability to get back on his feet.
There is also a chance he could catch Woodley late with a striking stoppage. Either way, Condit will walk away with a bonus check in his pocket.
Also in the running: Daniel Pineda, Jessica Andrade
Performance of the Night No. 2: Alex Garcia
Alex Garcia is a powerful man. Like really powerful.
He has dynamite in his hands and can end a fight with one punch. He takes on a boxer in Sean Spencer who will stay on the feet and try to out-technique Garcia.
However, as mentioned, the Dominican-Canadian just needs one shot. At some point, he will land on Spencer in a way that makes men concussed and disoriented.
Did I mention that Garcia is really powerful? Oh, I did? Well that will lead to a knockout and a nice bonus.
Also in the running: Sean Strickland, Ovince St. Preux
Fight of the Night: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Unless the main event is a lay-and-pray fest or a quick knockout, it is going to be a fun fight. That is because both Hendricks and Lawler are power-punching maniacs with a knack for making things interesting.
Lawler is as tough as nails, which may force Hendricks to have to land more than one of his patented bombs. “Ruthless” can knock anybody out as well, which will show us if Hendricks can take a punch.
Whatever happens, you can bet these two men are leaving Dallas with an extra $50,000 apiece. What needs to be decided is who will exit the cage with the belt made of gold and leather.
Also in the running: Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley, Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury, Raquel Pennington vs. Jessica Andrade, Dennis Bermudez vs. Jimy Hettes
UFC 171 is a star-studded card that features former titleholders and top contenders in some weight classes. However, it is also home to a good number of prospects.
The prelims have a number of future main carders who could reach the top end of their di…
UFC 171 is a star-studded card that features former titleholders and top contenders in some weight classes. However, it is also home to a good number of prospects.
The prelims have a number of future main carders who could reach the top end of their divisions in no time. These talented fighters are just looking for their big break and a marquee win.
Although we could note many competitors, here are three prelim fighters who could break out in Dallas.
Kelvin Gastelum
The winner of The Ultimate Fighter 17, Kelvin Gastelum is already set up for success in the UFC. The young welterweight is 2-0 in the UFC and could get a keynote win in Dallas against Rick Story.
After upsetting Uriah Hall to win the 17th season of the long-running reality show, he came back in his sophomore effort to utterly decimate Brian Melancon. Those two wins opened up eyes, earning him this big step up in competition.
Story is an established vet who has beaten Thiago Alves, among others. If Gastelum beats Story, he would have the credible win he needs to earn bigger-name opponents and garner top-20 attention.
He could be the breakout star of the entire card with a great performance.
Alex Garcia
Just from his look and power, Alex Garcia has drawn comparisons to Hector Lombard. Since Lombard is also on the card, Garcia can really show fans how similar he is to the 170-pound contender.
Garcia is a Tristar rep who has just less than one minute’s worth of UFC experience. The Dominican-Canadian destroyer walked through Ben Wall in his debut, showing a killer instinct and uncanny power.
Many people think this guy is the future of the division. An impressive performance against Sean Spencer, a tough, gritty vet, would solidify Garcia as someone to watch at 170 pounds.
Sean Strickland
Who is Sean Strickland? Where did he come from?
Well, if you’re like me, you already know about Strickland, a top middleweight prospect who was just signed by the UFC to replace Tor Troeng against Bubba McDaniel. Hardcore fans have eagerly waited for him to get the call from Joe Silva and company.
He is a King of the Cage champion who has an undefeated record of 13-0 with 10 finishes in his career. His ground game is solid, but he has been putting down opponents left and right with his striking.
Some might think that late notice will affect Strickland in his UFC debut against McDaniel, but he was originally supposed to fight a couple of weekends ago against UFC vet Tomasz Drwal in Poland before getting the call to fill in on this card.
He will be in fighting shape to show the world who he is. He could easily break out with a solid outing against the Greg Jackson-trained fighter.
The UFC returns to pay-per-view this weekend with UFC 171. Headlined by a welterweight showdown for the vacant title, this show should provide a ton of fireworks and significant outcomes in several UFC weight classes.
The headliners are Johny Hendricks…
The UFC returns to pay-per-view this weekend with UFC 171. Headlined by a welterweight showdown for the vacant title, this show should provide a ton of fireworks and significant outcomes in several UFC weight classes.
The headliners are Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler, but they will be supported by another key welterweight bout between Carlos Condit and Tyron Woodley. Major title implications will play a part on the co-main event between “The Natural Born Killer” and Woodley.
Here are five reasons to watch UFC 171 on Saturday.
