After UFC 138 in England that was seen by almost no one and a UFC on FOX event that disappointed even more fans, the company is desperate for a great showing from the fights on the UFC 139 card.
While the star power isn’t there, there are intriguing matches throughout the main card and a couple gems in the under-cards.
No matter who you’re rooting for, this is the kind of show when expectations are low that has everyone talking.
Where: HP Pavilion in San Jose, California
When: Saturday, November 19, 9:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Facebook under-card fights at 6 p.m. EST, preliminary fights at 8 p.m. EST on Spike TV, Main Card fights at 9 p.m. EST on pay-per-view; online pay-per-view streaming—must pay $44.99—at UFC.tv, Yahoo! Sports, UStream, Android or iPhone
Fight Card
Main card
Light Heavyweight bout: Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson
Middleweight bout: Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le
Bantamweight bout: Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles
Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs. Rick Story
Light Heavyweight bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Kyle Kingsbury
Preliminary card (Spike TV)
Light Heavyweight bout: Ryan Bader vs. Jason Brilz
Bantamweight bout: Michael McDonald vs. Alex Soto
Preliminary card (Facebook)
Middleweight bout: Tom Lawlor vs. Chris Weidman
Lightweight bout: Gleison Tibau vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Bantamweight bout: Miguel Torres vs. Nick Pace
Welterweight bout: Matt Brown vs. Seth Baczynski
Lightweight bout: Shamar Bailey vs. Danny Castillo
Mauricio Rua’s Keys to Victory
Mauricio Rua is one of the best in the business and its his ability to adapt to the person he is fighting that has let him be a force as long as he has. While Dan Henderson has cardio for days, he is 41 years old and 12 years the elder of Rua and that could be a factor.
Dan Henderson’s Keys to Victory
With Rua being a solid take down artist and extremely aggressive, Dan Henderson has to capitalize on any and all mistakes from Rua. Hendo is one of the best fighters in MMA history, but age is starting to catch up with him.
What They’re Saying
MMA fighter Jade Porter sends best wishes to his friends fighting at UFC 139:
UFC fighter Michael “Mayday” McDonald reports on his fight’s status and his excitement:
Undercard Fight To Watch: Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles
Urijah Faber is one of the best fighters in MMA, but distractions cost him much of the momentum he gained from the WEC.
This fight in important because the winner will become the number one contender and most likely earn a rematch with UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz.
Bowles was the UFC champ until his fight was stopped due to a broken hand, and that loss remains his only. This fight could become an instant classic.
Main Event Prediction: Henderson via Submisson
If Henderson has done anything better than any other aging star, its use his mental experience to manipulate a fight. With his elite wrestling abilities and Rua’s ability and willingness to go to the ground, Hendo will wait for a mistake and tap Shogun out.
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