Over the next few months, the UFC will be acquiring a number of new fighters, with fans eager to see some fighters more than others. Below are the half dozen UFC debuts that are Fight Freek’s official most anticipated.
6.) Roger Gacie
It’s about time we saw another member of the Gracie family fight in the UFC. Easily one of the best Jiu-Jistu practitioners in MMA today, Gracie has the ability to submit any one of his opponents. He has tapped five of his seven opponents, and dominated MMA veteran, Keith Jardine. When you’re making your UFC debut against a strong wrestler like Tim Kennedy, it’ll make for one hell of a fight, and might even be seen as a modern day Royce Gracie / Ken Shamrock bout. The question is can Jiu-Jitsu overcome again, or will the modern MMA wrestler prove to be too much for the BBJ black belt?
5.) K.J. Noons
After his controversial loss to Ryan Couture, Noons will be making his debut at UFC 160 against Donald Cerrone, a fight that may end up being a stand up war. Noons likes to stand and bang which makes him a fan favorite, but he’ll final get the chance to showcase some of that excitement inside the world famous octagon. Losing four of his last five fights, the big question is whether of not the UFC will release Noons if he loses his debut, making it three straight losses. As entertaining as it is to watch Noons fight, I sure hope that’s not the case. One thing for sure, win, lose, or draw; his fight with Cerrone is one that the fans are truly eager to see.
4.) Tim Kennedy
As I said, Roger Gracie will be making his debut against Tim Kennedy at UFC 162. However, Kennedy will also be making his UFC debut that night, so the battle between two grapplers with different styles will be even more exciting seeing that someone has to lose their UFC debut. The strong wrestler will look to stifle Gracie’s submission attempts, and grind out a win from the top position. All wrestling fans will be pulling for the former green beret.
3.) Tarec Saffiedine
Given almost no chance to defeat Nate “The Great” Marquardt, Saffiedine shut up all the doubters as he out struck Marquardt for the majority of their fight, and took his title. After defeating such an elite welterweight, fans will be waiting for Saffiedine’s UFC debut with great anticipation, and see just how the last Strikeforce welterweight champion will fair against the best fighters at 170 that the UFC has to offer. He could’ve have been matched up with a better opponent for his debut in fellow striker, Robbie Lawler.
2.) Luke Rockhold
Well he may have not gotten an immediate title shot, but a fight with Vitor Belfort is just as exciting in the eyes of the fans. Not since Hector Lombard has the UFC’s middleweight division hasn’t acquired a fighter at such an elite level. If he is successful in his fight with Vitor Belfort, he might get his title shot against the winner of Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman.
1.) Rafael Cavalcante
Finally, “Feijao” will be fighting in the UFC. It’s been a year since he’s last fought, but it will return from his suspension by facing Thiago Silva, who coincidently has also had suspensions due to drug test issues. I predicted a long time ago that Cavalcante would work his way through the UFC’s light heavyweight division (if given the opportunity), and it looks like now he will be getting his shot to prove me right. The man who finished Yoel Romero, King Mo, and Mike Kyle (later ruled a No Contest, but whatever), could probably defeat Dan Henderson in a rematch if the UFC is smart enough to put that fight together.
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@FightFreek