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One of the fun things about being an MMA fan, is speculating on match ups, debating rumored fights and enjoying officially announced bouts. With the end of the year nearing, promotions are in high gear, signing, offering and placing fights. New tilts, rumored show downs and general dreaming is what it is all about! This is a big list of such fights and whatever info I have been able to dig up on them. What's your opinion? And what matches are you looking forward to the most? What about your fantasy fight? "Read More" to see what is or may be coming up!
Alistair Overeem vs James Thompson at Dream 12- The Japanese promotions are notorious for announcing fights at the last minute and with Dream 12 coming up on Sunday, this fight is unofficial but 99% happening. Brock Larson vs Brian Foster at UFC 106- Larson was a contender in the WEC and Foster lost a recent Fight of the Night to Ricky Story. This fight is on. Dan Henderson vs Anyone from Strikeforce- With his UFC contract talks at an impasse, there has been wide speculation about Dan getting $$$ from Strikeforce. Henderson is coming off of a huge KO of Michael Bisping and the exposure of The Ultimate Fighter. A superfight with Fedor could be huge. Not so fast! While a possibility, expect Hendo to re-sign with the UFC and face Nate Marquardt for a shot at Anderson Silva. Brian Stann vs Rodney Wallace at TUF 10 Finale- Stann is popular from his time in the WEC and his military service. Undefeated Wallace is making his UFC debut. This fight is on. Josh Koscheck vs Mike Pierce at UFN 20- Don't sleep on Pierce, but this would be a fight to set Kos up for another run at a title shot. Verbally agreed, but unsigned, it is as good as on. Tyson Griffin vs Jim Miller at UFC 108- Awesome fight! Griffin is always in line for a title shot and this would be a big step in that direction. Miller always brings it and this would be a huge win for him. This fight is being discussed, with one unnamed fighter agreeing to it verbally. I would say this is 75% happening and things will heat up as the date approaches. Chris Leben vs Jay Silva at UFN 20- Leben may need a win to stay in the UFC. Silva lost to CB Dollaway and another loss could mean his exit. Word is that Leben has agreed, but nothing is official yet. 90% happening. Gilbert Yvel vs UFC Heavyweight at a show in Nevada- Previously unlicensed and controversial fighter, Yvel recently received a one-fight license from the NSAC. A devastating striker, putting him in with someone like Chieck Kongo, could provide fireworks. I would say this is a 50/50 proposition. Jorge Santiago vs Mamed Khalidov at Sengoku 11th Battle- Santiago is a highly rated middleweight with many options for fights in the future. Khalidov showed great promise when he destroyed Jason Guida in Elite XC, but has been under the radar since. This fight is on and could propel the winner to an American promotion. Kimbo Slice vs Chuck Liddell on a UFC PPV- This seems to be gaining momentum. With his dancing days over, Chuck recently stated that he would take the fight if he was asked to. I think this would sell big, but ruin the loser as a future draw. I would be somewhat shocked if this happens. I give it a 10% chance, but kind of hope it does! Chris Horodecki vs WEC 145 or 155 fighter- Shawn Tompkins has stated that the deal will be done very soon. The popular former IFL lightweight, would make a great addition to the WEC, with the question being what weight class will he fight in? I think this is 99% done! Jesse Lennox vs Ricky Story at UFN 20- A match between two up and coming UFC welterweights. This fight should be action packed and another FOTN candidate. It is on. Kazushi Sakuraba vs Zelg Galesic at Dream 12- Saku makes his return only 2 weeks after winning easily at Dream 11. This might be a little bit more dangerous match up. It is on. Carlos Condit vs Paul Daley at UFC 108- Definitely a contender battle, this would propel the winner way up the ranks for a title shot. While unsigned, word is that both fighters have verbally agreed to the match. 90% sure it is on and excited to see it! Damien Maia vs Dan Miller at UFC 109- Maia looks to get back to his winning ways after being KO'd by Marquardt, while Miller will be trying to rebound from a tough loss to Chael Sonnen. Nice match that is being discussed, but not signed yet. I would say it is about 75%. Efrain Escudero vs Nick Lentz at UFN 20- TUF winner Escudero looks to remain unbeaten against newcomer, Lentz. It is on. Aaron Simpson vs Tom Lawlor at UFN 20- Increasingly popular Lawlor, looks to take out another Arizona Combat fighter. It is on. Robbie Lawler vs Nick Diaz or Jacare in December at Strikeforce- I would rather see Jacare vs Diaz, but it looks like one of those two may be facing Lawler. With the way fights disappear for Strikeforce, I would put this at about 25%. Jeff Curran vs TBA on Strikeforce Fedor/Rogers- The WEC released the very tough Curran and he will be facing someone on the undercard, who is yet to be announced. It is on. Kevin Randleman vs Stanislav Nedkov at Sengoku 11th Battle- Randleman's comeback road continues, but it won't be easy. Nedkov is a very tough fighter. It is on. These are some of the most recent rumors and announcements and there are more out there, like: Junie Browning already headlining a local show. Bart Palaszewski returning to the WEC. Josh Burkman at a local show. And how could I leave you without my current dream match. It is on many people's lists, but the fight I want to see is... BJ Penn vs Shinya Aoki! Unfortunately, we a not likely to see this anytime soon. BJ is firmly entrenched with the UFC and Aoki is immeasurably popular in Japan. The best shots of this happening, are BJ somehow ending up with Strikeforce, or the UFC doing some type of co-promotion to re-enter the Japanese market. With neither likely, we will just have to imagine how this would look, though I think BJ would easily handle Aoki. The next few months should be huge in the MMA world! I can't wait to see what they throw at us next... |
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theDIRTY says:
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I'd buy two PPV just to see the Penn/Aoki fight.