In the aftermath of Fight Night Nashville, we heard about Michael Johnson getting robbed for a few more days. While I think those who support that notion are righteous, it’s sadly too late to change anything and it’s time to move on. There was also a large spike in the number of ‘Sam Alvey smiling’ jokes, unfortunately, but those subsided quickly enough.
Thankfully, all the UFC 189 drug tests came back negative which is always good news. It would have been a shame if one or more of the tests were positive, and it would have marred an otherwise terrific night of fights. Also: no I do not plan to talk about Anderson Silva’s NSAC hearings and that silliness there because I would rather not dignify any of the mess it became. I will, however, discuss the results. I applaud the commission on their retroactive one year suspension, and especially for their stipulation requiring a clean test from Silva upon his return.
The biggest story of the week was the announcement of the Aldo-McGregor Featherweight Title Unification bout at UFC 194, once again in Las Vegas, this time on December 12th. The countdowns have already begun, and Mcgregor opened a nearly unanimous 2-to-1 betting favorite. I find that to be the most interesting part of all because people seem to have really turned on the longtime Champ, and I might be alone but I still have that fight going the other way. There will also be another title fight at 194, with Middleweight Champ Chris Weidman defending his belt for the fourth time against the surging Luke Rockhold. Hell, I’d buy the PPV for those two fights alone (don’t tell Dana White that I said that, though)!
December will also be home to another Championship fight, and this one is by far my personal favorite. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will finally get a chance at UFC Gold against current title-holder Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC Orlando on the 19th. RDA is an absolute beast and a more-than-deserving Champion, but I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a huge “Cowboy” fan. I really think Cerrone gets it done here, but only after the intense kind of back-and-forth war these two can readily provide for us.
Another big title fight was announced, a rematch for the Heavyweight title between Champ Fabricio Werdum and the man he beat for the belt, Cain Velasquez. I’m so excited for this fight, the only truly sensible one the matchmakers could make. Will Cain return to form and remind everyone that he was very recently known (at least by Joe Rogan) as the baddest man on the planet, or is Werdum really one of the best Heavyweights of all time?
An injury to Rick Story became an opportunity for Neil Magny to get back on track, as he will replace Story on very short notice in the Co-Main Event of UFC Saskatoon against the ultra-talented Erick Silva. Magny had been riding a seven-fight win streak before losing via submission to Demian Maia at UFC 190, and even with a late replacement this is still a very compelling fight.
UFC Dublin got Louise Smolka-Paddy Holohan, Dane Dalby-Darren Till, as well as the return of Sam Alvey, who is facing Bradley Scott. The devastating striker Ilir Latifi is also trying to get on the card, and requested the chance to fight fan-favorite Fabio Maldonado, and I’m certain that I am far from the only fan who dreams about a fight this well-matched. Best of all, however, is the addition of a hugely important Heavyweight clash: #3 Stipe Miocic versus #6 Ben Rothwell. I can’t wait for this one, and both fighters here will have a strong stake in the claim for the next title shot.
There was a late addition to UFC 191 on September 5th announced on Wednesday evening on the weekly promotional news show, UFC Tonight. #10 ranked Women’s Bantamweight fighter Liz Carmouche will square off against the always-game Raquel Pennington. Neither woman is far up the division ladder to begin with, but a win here could springboard either one to bigger and better things.
A potentially thunderous showdown was leaked by Joe Rogan on his podcast this week, Alistair Overeem facing off against Junior Dos Santos. Rogan was non-commital about the accidental slip, but he did say that he has already shot his portion of the Countdown for it. The fight is still being kept under wraps if there is even anything official about it yet to begin with, but just the thought of it has me hooked and waiting for the announcement. Tempering expectations, Rogan did go on to say he has shot Countdowns before that were never aired.
Claudia Gadelha would give a middle finger to ligament injuries if she could. It was announced this week that her title fight against Champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk would have to be postponed due to an injury Gadelha suffered in her last outing, a victory over Jessica Aguilar. She is facing approximately three months of rehab time, and the fight is now being tentatively targeted for no sooner than early next year.
Cathal Pendred and newbie CM Punk engaged in a Twitter battle that was likely more closely contested than an actual fight between the two men would be, and I find myself siding with Punk on this one. Shouldn’t Pendred be setting his sights a little higher up the ladder? He should be looking to face stiffer competition than the UFC’s closest thing to a flier.
Rich Franklin told MMA Junkie he would like to fight out his contract and have one last whirl in the UFC, although his position as the ONE Championship V.P. presents some unique problems in terms of scheduling and commitments. There are several entertaining theoretical opponents for him, but his new job will make it tough to schedule anything soon apparently.
On a melancholy note, Josh Thomson’s second stint in the UFC is at an end. The promotion declined to offer the Lightweight another contract, so on to Bellator it is. With the level of competition they have there, I believe he will excel, and this forced exile might not turn out so bad for Thomson in the long run.
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