The “Ultimate Fighter” season 13 finale will be held this Saturday night June 4, and it will be headlined by a much anticipated, high energy clash between UFC veteran and tough as nails contender Clay “The Carpenter” Guida against the last WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
It has been a somewhat underachieving season this year and it will take a solid finale to salvage a bit of momentum heading in to season 14 Mayhem vs. The Count. The show finals is set with Ramzi Nijem vs. and to be honest, the finalists are two very solid fighters with potential.
I think the show is often if not always driven by the animosity and rivalry set up between the two coaches and the lack of that between JDS and Lesnar is the real culprit for the dip in ratings.
There are some things on this card to get pumped up about and here are five reasons you want to watch this event.
5. Nijem vs. Ferguson The Finale Fight
If there is one thing that has been a bit under-appreciated on this season of the show it is the calibre of a few of the fighters. Ramzi Nijem has some solid striking in bursts and Tony Ferguson is a strong all around fighter. This should be a good fight between two hungry guys who will be looking to Griffin-Bonnar everybody to save the season.
4. Another Solid, Free Fight Card
Dana White has always said he grew up a fan of boxing and watching the fights on TV and he continues to prove it in his actions. This month is packed with good fight cards that we will all pay for so why not throw in a delightful treat like Guida vs. Pettis for free. Take advantage of it fans, let’s not take it for granted.
3. Herman vs. Credeur
It has been quite a while since we have seen these two likable characters inside the cage and for the loser it could be his last. Both of these guys are fighting for their careers and Herman is returning from a severe injury.
The technical polish may not be there in this one due to layoff, but these two are fighting for there lives so you may not want to miss it. I think Credeur is a bit more technically sound all around than Herman, could it be our last look at “Short Fuse”?
2. L’il Heathen In The House!
Any fight with Jeremy L’il Heathen Stephens is a fight that I don’t miss. He brings explosive power and a straight ahead approach in the cage with him in the cage and fireworks usually result. You won’t want to blink when he’s in there vs. Danny Downes.
Stephens is coming off of three consecutive tough fights against Marcus Davis, Melvin Guillard and Sam Stout and I believe Downes is a step below all three of them so Stephens should be ready to let fly.
1. Guida Set To Spoil The UFC Debut of Showtime
Clay “The Carpenter” Guida is as tough as they come in the UFC. He has incredible heart and drive in his fights and he is like a buzz saw that cuts right through you from the opening bell. He is looking to solidify his place in line for a title shot with a victory on Saturday.
Anthony “Showtime” Pettis is the last standing lightweight champion of the WEC and is making his debut in the big leagues this weekend and his flashy and effective style is tailor made for the bright lights.
This will be a war at one thousand miles an hour folks and we have seen tough tough guys fall to the relentless pressure Guida brings. Will Showtime be able to handle it?
Dwight Wakabayashi is a Correspondent for Bleacher Report MMA (Also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net).
Catch him on Twitter @wakafightermma
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