Author: Riley Kontek

UFC Fight Night 35: Predicting the Fight Night Bonus Winners

The second UFC show of 2014 comes to you live from Atlanta, Ga., as UFC Fight Night 35 takes place January 15. 
Headlined by middleweight contenders Costa Philippou and Luke Rockhold, the card is short on “name talent” but makes up for it by havin…

The second UFC show of 2014 comes to you live from Atlanta, Ga., as UFC Fight Night 35 takes place January 15. 

Headlined by middleweight contenders Costa Philippou and Luke Rockhold, the card is short on “name talent” but makes up for it by having exciting fighters and intriguing matchups. A number of solid prospects will appear on the card, looking to boost their stocks.

With that, let’s take a peak at who may be taking home the bonuses come fight night.

 

Submission of the Night: Cole Miller

There are a lot of strikers and bangers on this card, meaning that submissions could come few and far between. However, there is a jiu-jitsu ace training with American Top Team by the name of Cole Miller who could be walking out of Atlanta with some bulkier pockets.

Miller is extremely lethal on the ground and slick in gaining position. He is taking on Sam Sicilia, a guy who can handle himself on the ground but is not on the level of Mr. Miller.

Miller will find a way to ground Sicilia, pound him, advance position and secure a hold. That tapout will get him a little extra money to walk around with. 

Also in the running: Trevor Smith, Charlie Brenneman

 

Knockout of the Night: Yoel Romero

Since entering the UFC, Yoel Romero has shown off a power game that has put two of his opponents to rest. Should he get a third knockout in his third UFC outing, it will likely net him a bonus check.

Romero is taking on a fellow wrestler in Derek Brunson, who has a similar skill set. That being said, Brunson heavily relies on his wrestling to be successful, and he is taking on an Olympic medalist who will beat him in that category.

When that happens, Brunson will be left to stand with the hulking Cuban. That could lead to a big, powerful knockout from Romero that nets him another Knockout of the Night bonus. 

Also in the running: TJ Dillashaw, Vinc Pichel

 

Fight of the Night: Luke Rockhold vs. Costa Philippou

The main event between Luke Rockhold and Costa Philippou is not only the biggest fight on the card, it has the potential to be the best fight on the card.

Both men love to strike, as Rockhold trains with American Top Team and Philippou has worked out with Ray Longo and company. Rockhold‘s kickboxing vs. Philippou‘s boxing is going to be very intriguing, as it will show who is the better man and the better striker.

That clash of styles will make for an awesome bout. The winner is back in title contention and the loser will be on the outside looking in.

Also in the running: Lorenz Larkin-Brad Tavares, TJ Dillashaw-Mike Easton, John Moraga-Dustin Ortiz, Alp Ozkilic-Louis Smolka

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

The Beaten Path: 5 Non-UFC Prospects to Watch in January

The month of January does not look to be the busiest month in terms of action, but there are definitely some top-notch prospects in action. Between World Series of Fighting and Resurrection Fighting Alliance, you should see some stars of the future in …

The month of January does not look to be the busiest month in terms of action, but there are definitely some top-notch prospects in action. Between World Series of Fighting and Resurrection Fighting Alliance, you should see some stars of the future in action.

Prospects are the lifeblood of MMA. They keep the body going. When stars begin to fade, new stars step up, and they always have to start somewhere.

Here at The Beaten Path, we do the research and relay the information to you, the fans. So, here are five guys you should keep your eye on this month that are respected prospects in this crazy sport we call MMA.

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Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann: An Early Head-to-Toe Breakdown

We have over a month until UFC 170, but fans and media alike are speculating the main event bantamweight title fight that will take place between Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann.
In a bout pitting Olympic medalists against one another, the UFC has their f…

We have over a month until UFC 170, but fans and media alike are speculating the main event bantamweight title fight that will take place between Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann.

In a bout pitting Olympic medalists against one another, the UFC has their face of women’s MMA taking on likely her biggest test to date in McMann. It will be a tactical battle that will see the one with the better game plan and more well-rounded skills take the bout.

So, who is going to win this fight? Let’s take an early look at the head-to-toe breakdown and get some insight on who could be walking out of UFC 170 with gold.

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MMA Fighters to Watch in 2014

The year 2013 was great to the prospects of the UFC. Many either made their debuts or continued building upon their legacy as they attempted to fulfill their dreams of becoming world champion.
Some prospects were built up as the next big thing, and som…

The year 2013 was great to the prospects of the UFC. Many either made their debuts or continued building upon their legacy as they attempted to fulfill their dreams of becoming world champion.

Some prospects were built up as the next big thing, and some flew under the radar. Either way, they’re guaranteed to be staples of the UFC and make a big impact.

Here are some fighter to watch this year. These fighters are guys that will be around the title picture or dark horses to make a title run in 2014 for t the UFC. 

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UFC Fight Night 34 Results: Winners and Losers from Saffiedine-Lim Fight Card

The launch of the UFC Fight Pass digital network came full circle on Saturday as the first international event in UFC Fight Night 34 went down in Singapore.
Headlined by Tarec Saffiedine and Hyun Gyu Lim, it was the first of many small events that are …

The launch of the UFC Fight Pass digital network came full circle on Saturday as the first international event in UFC Fight Night 34 went down in Singapore.

Headlined by Tarec Saffiedine and Hyun Gyu Lim, it was the first of many small events that are set to go live on the network.

If you watched, the stream was immaculate, possessing great picture and awesome quality. In terms of the fights, most of them were exciting bouts that showed some great future staples of the company.

So, who were the winners and losers coming out of UFC Fight Night 34? Let’s take a look right now. 

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UFC Fight Night 34: Ranking the Main Card Fights

The UFC is set to start their 2014 in Singapore, with UFC Fight Night 34 kicking things off for the UFC Fight Pass digital network. It will be one of the many international fight cards that feature top prospects from that area.
The card is headlined by…

The UFC is set to start their 2014 in Singapore, with UFC Fight Night 34 kicking things off for the UFC Fight Pass digital network. It will be one of the many international fight cards that feature top prospects from that area.

The card is headlined by former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine and Hyun Gyu Lim, two strikers that will look to put on a great show. The winner will be a dark-horse contender in the welterweight division that could potentially challenge for the title down the road.

There are four fights on the main card. Here is a power ranking of each fight based on potential for excitement and importance. 

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