The UFC makes its return to Sweden on April 6 with UFC on Fuel TV 9 being broadcast live from Stockholm.
The card may be light on big names, but a card full of free fights is better than no fights at all. Fans turning into the matinee (the main card kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Fuel TV) will be treated to some good scraps.
Headlined by a light heavyweight tilt between international star Gegard Mousasi and little-known Ilir Latifi, this is a card that is heavy on up-and-comers looking to make a statement.
Here’s a look at the three fights that fans should be looking forward to based on intrigue and potential awesomeness.
3. Gegard Mousasi vs. Ilir Latifi
Yeah, this isn’t Alexander Gustafsson vs. Mousasi as fans were anticipating, but this fight isn’t a completely lost cause.
Mousasi‘s UFC debut is still something to get excited about. He’s one of the most accomplished fighters in the world that has yet to make his UFC debut, and going against a hometown product looking to pull off the huge upset provides some interesting back story.
Mousasi is an electric striker with a strong submission game so even if it’s a blowout, we should get to at least see a fun finish.
Despite its headliner status, it isn’t the best fight on the card. You still won’t want to miss it.
2. Ross Pearson vs. Ryan Couture
The son of a legend makes his UFC debut. A former Ultimate Fighter winner attempts to get things rolling as a lightweight again after a knockout victory in his return to the division. What’s not to love?
Ryan Couture is the son of UFC legend Randy Couture. That won’t be the first time you hear that, but he does have serious skills. He brings a 6-1 record from Strikeforce into the Octagon with his latest win coming over veteran K.J. Noons.
Pearson already has two Fight of the Night performances to his name. He’s coming off of an impressive knockout of George Sotiropoulos. The intrigue of grappler vs. striker is definitely there and this one could be a barn burner.
1. Mike Easton vs. Brad Pickett
Brad Pickett is not capable of being in a boring fight. Mike Easton throws every punch with bad intentions. This has Fight of the Night written all over it.
Both Pickett and Easton are coming off of disappointing losses but can take a big step forward with a win. Pickett has fought four times in the UFC. Three of those times he has walked away with a post-fight bonus of some sort (Fight of the Night twice, Knockout of the Night once).
According to Fightnomics, Easton and Pickett should set the fastest pace of any matchup on the card.
Both fighters love to set a fast pace and have experience going the distance. This has to be the odds-on favorite for Fight of the Night.
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