(Make no mistake — when Edgar’s at his best, he’s capable of losing a close decision to any fighter in the world. Photo via Getty Images)
UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman is turning out to be a can’t-miss showcase for featherweight talent. With Ricardo Lamas vs. Chan Sung Jung already on the lineup, the UFC has just added two more big-name 145-pound scraps to the July 6th card in Las Vegas…
– Frankie Edgar vs. Charles Oliveira: Following his unsuccessful title challenge against Jose Aldo — which gave Edgar his third decision loss in a row — “The Answer” returns to the featherweight division to face dangerous grappler Charles Oliveira. Though Oliveira hasn’t competed since his knockout loss to Cub Swanson at UFC 152, his two previous fights resulted in submission victories over Jonathan Brookins and Eric Wisely. It’s a logical rebound fight for Edgar, and a huge opportunity for Oliveira.
– Cub Swanson vs. Dennis Siver: Speaking of Swanson, the Jackson’s MMA product is red-hot lately, with four straight victories in the UFC (three by KO/TKO). Fresh off his recent decision win over Dustin Poirier, Swanson will try to add to his streak against the hard-striking Dennis Siver, who is 2-0 since dropping to featherweight, with decision wins over Diego Nunes and Nam Phan.
In other notable UFC 162 news…
– According to UFC.com, the future no-contest between light-heavyweights Thiago Silva and Rafael Cavalcante has been removed from the 7/6 card, and will be moved to another event to be named soon.
– Meanwhile in the middleweight division, Chris Leben will attempt to snap his two-fight losing streak against 8-1 prospect Andrew Craig, who most recently lost a decision to Ronny Markes at UFC on FX 7.
– With his four-fight win streak snapped by Mike Pierce in December, welterweight Seth Baczynski will welcome Strikeforce vet Brian Melancon into the Octagon.