A few things have been making the headlines in the UFC this week.
The exciting headline act in Abu Dhabi at UFC 112 between middleweight champ Anderson Silva and challenger Vitor Belfort is no more. Brazilian Belfort sustained a shoulder injury in training camp and has already undergone surgery being told by doctors he can begin training in four months. A fight before 2010 ends will now be Belfort’s next target. The injury is devastating news to the Belfort camp and his fans while the opportunity to take on Silva now goes to another fellow Brazilian Damian Maia. Chael Sonnen was named the challenger following his impressive win over Nate Marquardt in UFC 109 but Maia, who like Sonnen fought on the 109 card and who chalked up a solid win over Dan Miller, was given the bout due to Sonnen not being able to recover and subsequently get fight-fit in time for April’s showdown.
Maia impressed in his victory over Miller with methods he is not normally known for. The submission specialist was able to stand inside with Miller and won several exchanges on his way to a unanimous decision. Make no mistake though, taking on Silva especially with little preparation or (perhaps more importantly) recovery time is asking a lot. However it was a fight Maia couldn’t turn down as it represents a huge opportunity for the fighter with the 6-1 UFC record with the title on the line.
Looking further ahead to UFC 113 (being staged in Montreal, Canada), the main event has now been named. On May 8th, following their fight at UFC 104, reigning light heavyweight champion Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida will take on Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua in a rematch after their five round epic back in October 2009. With controversy afoot over who was the real winner last time out, both fighters have declared their intention to take the decision away from the judges this time around. It should be an exciting battle between arguably the best two light heavyweights in the world.
Not quite set in stone - like the above fights – is the next challenger for Randy Couture. Following his impressive win over fellow veteran Mark Coleman at UFC 109 the rumours are suggesting Couture could next face Rich Franklin at UFC 115 in Vancouver. The fight would be part of a mouth watering card that also features Chuck Liddell against Tito Ortiz, the two squaring off after being the team captains in the forthcoming Ultimate Fighter series. What Couture decides is anyone’s guess but the light heavyweight has a genuine chance to get back into title consideration should he win his next fight given his impressive recent wins over Brandon Vera and Mark Coleman. Couture is certainly defying the age factor thus far and Franklins seems to be an opponent that, unlike Brock Lesnar was, suits Couture.
Finally, speaking ahead of his UFC 110 fight with Ryan Bader was under pressure veteran Keith Jardine. With the ‘Dean of Mean’ under pressure following a 2009 that saw him lose both his fights (to ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Thiago Silva) Jardine has insisted he’s focussing on himself and not his unbeaten opponent, Bader. We’ll see how Jardine performs February 20th when the UFC heads to Sydney Australia.
Jardine is more than aware that he needs to kick start his career and said exactly that when speaking recently; “I’ve not even been thinking about him too much,” said Jardine of Bader. “I’m thinking about myself and restarting my career.” “I’ve not even been thinking about him too much,” said Jardine of Bader. “I’m thinking about myself and restarting my career.” Jardine will have to be wary of his opponent however as Bader has started impressively in the UFC following his time on the Ultimate Fighter series 8, going 11-0 as a professional. With decisions over Eric Shafer and Carmelo Marrero Bader is looking to rise up the ranks quickly and the former all American Wrestler will see Jardine as ripe for the picking. It most certainly could be last chance saloon for ‘The Dean’.
My main sports interests are ice hockey and American football as well as 'soccer' (football?!).