Kingdom MMA review of UFC 169

UFC 169: Barao vs Faber II

by Sam Heard @SamHeard_

Boasting two title fights with a brace of the UFC’s most dominant champions topping off a stacked card, UFC 169 certainly promised a lot and in many ways failed to live up to this lofty expectation. Not only were UFC records broken for the most fights to go to decision – ten of the twelve fights would hit the judge’s scorecards – but the night ended in an unsatisfactory manner with a questionable referee stoppage. The disappointing nature of the night is reflected in the distribution of the bonuses with one fight taking all the honours. The Trujillo/Varner matchup would pick up not only the Knockout of the Night bonus for Trujillo but also an augmented Fight of the Night bonus as a result of the lack of a ‘Submission of the Night’ – a whopping $125,000 in bonuses for Abel Trujillo.

Renan Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) VS. Urijah Faber (30-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC)

The UFC’s marketing of this fight was such that Faber had a 50% chance of toppling the newly crowned undisputed Bantamweight champion. Not only did Joe Rogan explicitly say this in the promo but they were also very shady about revealing the fact that the two had fought before and that Barao in his decision victory Barao had outscored Faber 50-45 on one judge’s scorecard.

In their second match-up it was all too clear that since they last met in the Octagon, Barao is the more improved of the two fighters. The first two or so minutes of the fight saw some fairly even striking exchanges between the two fighters with Faber’s tutelage under Duane Ludwig clearly giving him the confidence to kick-box with the dangerous Brazilian fighter. However, standing with Barao proved to be a mistake as a solid straight right connected directly with Faber’s jaw, dropping him and allowing Barao to swarm all over him. Somehow Faber was able to get to his feet but the Brazilian blitz continued, a typhoon of knees, uppercuts and body shots. The relentless pressure from Barao paid off as he once again dropped the dazed Alpha Male captain. Faber clung to Barao’s leg and was guarding the Brazilian’s rapid hammerfists but Herb Dean had seen enough, despite Faber having given him the thumbs up. In fairness to Faber, he did seem like he was able to continue and after the fight was stopped he was immediately up challenging the controversial decision.

This ending was undesirable to both Bantamweights – Faber was denied the opportunity to continue in the fight while Barao, who had looked amazing in the fight, couldn’t get the definitive stoppage he may have needed to get his name right up the p4p rankings.

Result: Renan Barao def. Urijah Faber via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:42

Jose Aldo (24-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) VS. Ricardo Lamas (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC)

Some have expressed disappointment in Jose Aldo for not picking up a victory in the distance. I am not one of these people. While he failed to stop Lamas, Aldo looked completely dominant in his unanimous decision victory and showed some of the most technically appealing combinations of strikes I’ve ever seen.

Aldo chained together long, accurate combinations throughout the fight which nearly always finished with one of his renowned thunderous leg kicks. The Brazilian champ also displayed exceptional takedown defence to ruin Lamas’ strategy to outwrestle him. Lamas was mostly unable to threaten Aldo – the only round he won on the judges’ scorecards was the fifth where he was fortunate enough to find himself on top of Aldo in a scramble. Even in this position he didn’t really trouble Aldo who was clearly content to remain on his back and let the judges give him his sixth consecutive UFC win. Critics of Aldo will attribute his losing the fifth round to his tendency to fade towards the end of fights. I tend to disagree with this as he hadn’t slowed down at all until being taken down.

At the post-fight press conference it was revealed that now Aldo has defeated all the top featherweight contenders he would be interested in moving up to 155-lbs to fight Pettis for his Lightweight belt.

Result: Jose Aldo def. Ricardo Lamas (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Frank Mir (16-9 MMA, 14-9 UFC) VS. Alistair Overeem (37-13 MMA, 2-2 UFC)

In what was probably the most disappointing fight on the main card we saw one of the least competitive heavyweight fights in recent memory. Most expected Overeem to come out, rock the shaky chin of Mir immediately and finish him for a quick return to the dressing room. We saw domination of a very different, far more boring kind, however. Clearly in fear of getting tagged as he has been in his past two fights, Overeem fought ultra-conservatively despite having several openings to easily finish Mir. Instead, he lay on top of Mir for large sections of the fight landing just enough ground-and-pound for the ref to not stand it back up. What could have been one of the most exciting fights on the card turned out to be boring and highly uncompetitive. Bad match-making on the part of the UFC.

Result: Alistair Overeem def. Frank Mir via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ali Bagautinov (13-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) VS. John Lineker (23-7 MMA, 4-2 UFC)

This clash of two rising flyweights certainly seemed to be a fight for the number 1 contender spot, pitching the world-class sambo of Bagautinov against the brute power of John Lineker.

The fight was extremely back-and-forth throughout: Bagautinov, as we had seen in his last fight, was comfortable enough on his feet to throw combos at the Brazilian while mixing in takedowns while Lineker was able to cause some visible pain to the Russian, particularly with body shots in the second. Despite this, it was an easy fight to score in the end with Bagautinov’s domination on the mat able to comfortably win the first and third rounds while Lineker’s power shots in the second frame won him a round back. Bagautinov certainly seems like a worthy challenger to take on Mighty Mouse next – he was able to make a man who has been knocking out talented flyweights left, right and centre look slow, plodding and one dimensional.

Result: Ali Bagautinov def. John Lineker via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Abel Trujillo (12-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC) VS. Jamie Varner (21-9-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC)

This fight was easily the most entertaining on the whole card and there really isn’t much which can be said about it other than that you should watch it as soon as you get chance.

Imagine two Wanderlei Silva clones slugging it out in the Octagon if you want the best description of this bout. The two had each other hurt on multiple occasions and indeed it seemed Varner had all but beaten Trujillo until he got caught by a massive counter-right which sent him down immediately like a felled tree.

Once again, if you haven’t watched this fight yet, watch it.

Result: Abel Trujillo def. Jamie Varner via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:32

What's next for Renan Barao?

A look at the UFC's 135lb division

by Chris Marzella @ChrisMarzella

If you didn't already know, Renan Barao is one of the very best mixed martial artists on the planet.

Despite the very much controversial conclusion to his first UFC bantamweight title defence at UFC 169 against the always game Urijah Faber, all that really happened was Barao chalked off yet another contender for his crown, again.

Barao spent so much time as the interim champion, knocking off the top contenders in the absence of Dominick Cruz, that as champion now he has already defeated many of the top contenders.

Take a second and think who is next in line for a crack at the exhilarating Brazilian. Michael McDonald? Been there, done that. Eddie Wineland? Same. Faber? Again?

The problem is, Barao was too good for everyone before he was the champion. How likely is that to change now that he is the undisputed bantamweight champion?

The rankings are always a good place to start when considering future contenders. From the list of guys not already humbled by Barao we have Raphael Assuncao, Urijah Faber's stablemate TJ Dillashaw and of course former champion Dominick Cruz.

From that list the next challenger seems to be fairly obvious.

Dillashaw, despite the ringing endorsement issued by Faber in the aftermath of UFC 169, has already lost to Assuncao back in October at UFC Fight Night 29, so Assuncao should and in all probability will be ahead of him in the line.

All that seems fine and well, apart from the fact there's only one fight everyone wants to see at 135 pounds. The countdown is on until the former champion is healthy again.

The highly anticipated unification match that never quite materialised needs to happen, if not for anything other than to solidify the belief that Barao is the premier bantamweight on the planet.

And with that, there is a problem. When a champion dominates his division, fairly often they defend their title against people who, quite frankly, don't belong in title fights, just look at some of the challengers Anderson Silva faced over the years.

Barao has beaten the top contenders in his division, with the exception of a couple, so the list to choose from if fairly narrow.

The only fight that matters though is with Dominick Cruz. We have been teased with this prospect for the last two years and I'm fairly certain that it is the only fight anyone really wants to see next.

The quicker Cruz gets himself fit the sooner we can see the best possible bantamweight fight on the planet.

UFC 169 predictions

Kingdom MMA predictions for UFC 169

by Ben Heather @benheather and Chris Marzella @ChrisMarzella

For this event we will be predicting the fights for UFC 169 including a write up for the big 3 fights on the card and then picking our winners for the rest of the card. Let us know if you agree with our picks.

Barao vs Faber

Chris: The UFC always tends to really stack this card and I'm glad to see this year is no exception. I was disappointed when Dominick Cruz had to pull out, but it says a lot that there is still a buzz about this card. Faber just may be the most popular UFC fighter to never hold the title and I can't really see that changing come Saturday night. Renan Barao is special. I mean seriously, who goes on a 31 fight winning streak? That is ridiculous.

I'm going to go with a Barao decision in this one.

Ben: I really have been struggling to pick a winner for this fight, my head says Barao but my heart is picking Faber. I would love nothing more than to see Urijah Faber crowned the champ he has been on a tear and beats 99% of the division. I think he knows this is probably his last shot and I think it may well be the time that Team Alpha Male finally have a champion in the team.

I'm not confident at all but will go with Faber by decision.

Aldo vs Lamas

Chris: In the co-main event I can't see past Barao's stablemate. Aldo is quite simply a cut above anyone else at 145lbs. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Ricardo Lamas fan and his shot has been a long time coming, but I don't see a specific area of his game where I think he's better than Aldo. Aldo is about as devastating a striker as we have in the sport right now and it'll be interesting to see how Lamas copes with that.

My money has to be an Aldo TKO, probably in the second or third round.

Ben: I agree completely with Chris, I like Lamas and love seeing him fight. However, right now there is two divisions within the featherweight division.... Jose Aldo and everyone else. It wouldn't matter to me who Aldo was fighting if its at 145lbs I am backing him. As i predicted at the start of the year, I think Aldo will end the year as the UFC lightweight champion and on Saturday night we will see him defeat Lamas and then vacate his title. As he moves up for the super fight against Anthony Pettis.

It has to be Aldo by TKO Round 2

Mir vs Overeem

Chris: The most intriguing fight on the card for me has to be Frank Mir vs Alistair Overeem. Billed as a looser leaves town match I really think, with a loss here, we may see the last of Mir. Overeem still has a point to prove and just needs the win more. If Josh Barnett can do what he did to Mir with strikes, I fear what Overeem may be able to do.

I predict an Overeem KO.

Ben: Since Overeem has been in the UFC we have not seen him tested on his back, if Mir gets the fight down he will surely have an advantage as he does against most guys in the division but I just don't see the fight getting there. I think like Chris that Overeem is going to come in to this fight so focused and his preperation in Thailand will be put to get use on Saturday night.

Overeem by KO Round 1.

Predictions for the remainder of the Card

Bagautinov vs Lineker

Chris: Bagautinov    Ben: Lineker

Varner vs Trujillo

Chris: Trujillo          Ben: Varner

Makdessi vs Patrick

Chris: Patrick          Ben: Makdessi

Cariaso vs Martinez

Chris: Martinez        Ben: Cariaso

Catone vs Watson

Chris: Watson         Ben: Watson

Iaquinta vs Lee

Chris: Iaquinta         Ben: Iaquinta

Hester vs Enz

Chris: Hester           Ben: Hester

Martin vs Magomedov

Chris: Martin           Ben: Magomedov

Magny vs Umalatov

Chris: Umalatov      Ben: Magny

Dominick Cruz Injured, Vacates title; Urijah Faber in Against Renan Barao at UFC 169

Dominick Cruz Injured, Vacates title; Urijah Faber in Against Renan Barao at UFC 169
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

UFC President Dana White appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter this afternoon to confirm Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has been forced to withdraw from his UFC 169 champion vs champion unification bout with interim champion Renan Barao (31-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) due to a groin tear. Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber (20-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will replace Cruz against Barao.

“Renan Barao’s been tearing through everybody,” White said. “But Faber’s been on a tear, too, with four straight wins against the best of the world. Not only is he ready for this, the guy’s an absolute stud and is taking the fight on three weeks’ notice.”

Having not fought for over 2 years due to a series of knee injuries and surgeries, Cruz will now vacate his bantamweight title making Barao now the UFC's undisputed 135lb Champion. Whist Cruz was sidelined from injury, Barao won the interim title by beating Faber at UFC 149. Barao then defended the title with a submission victory over Michael McDonald at UFC on Fuel 7 in London, and TKO victory over Eddie Wineland, who he defeated by turning side kick at UFC 165 in September.

One of the most popular fighter in all of MMA, Faber enters the bout of the back of a 4 fight win streak that has seen the California kid go undefeated in 2013. With impressive victories over Ivan Menjivar, Scott Jorgensen, Yuri Alcantara, and most recently Michael McDonald, Faber was one of the best performing athletes in all of MMA in 2013. One which has prompted some fans to declare Faber as 'Fighter of the Year' for 2013.

 UFC 169 takes place Feb. 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. As well as a title fight between Barao and Faber, Jose Aldo will also defend his Featherweight title against Richardo Lamas.

With the change to UFC 169, the card is now includes:

Main Card
Renan Barao vs. Urijah Faber - For The UFC Bantamweight Title
Jose Aldo vs. Ricardo Lamas For The UFC Featherweight Title
Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem
Ali Bagautinov vs. John Lineker
Abel Trujillo vs. Jamie Varner

Preliminary Card
John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick
Chris Cariaso vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
Nick Catone vs. Tom Watson
Al Iaquinta vs. Kevin Lee
Andy Enz vs. Clint Hester
Rashid Magomedov vs. Tony Martin
Neil Magny vs. Gasan Umalatov

Roundtable: 2014 End of Year UFC Champion Predictions

Roundtable: 2014 End of Year UFC Champion Predictions

by Chris Houten - @mrhouts, Tommy Strong - @strong_tea, Ben Heather - @benheather, Sam Heard - @SamHeard_

As we start a new year Kingdom MMA are taking a look in to the future with all of our magical crystal balls to predict who will be the champions in the UFC on the 1st January 2015. Once you have read our thoughts on each weight class, let us know if you agree with them and if not who you think will be champion.


FLYWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Demetrious Johnson
Possibly the easiest division to predict in all of the UFC, I generally don't see anyone touching Johnson at the moment. He is sharper than everyone else in the division, quicker than everyone else in the division, a better boxer than everyone else in the division and one of the best wrestlers at 125 as well. 

Tommy Strong:  Demetrious Johnson
Mighty Mouse has shown over the last year he's a cut above the current crop of fighters in the flyweight division, with three title defences in 2013 beating John Dodson, John Moraga and recently a stunning KO over Joseph Benavidez. Though it was Dodson who gave DJ his toughest fight to date, his speed and power gave Johnson real trouble.  But he still found a way to win.

With the arrival of Brad Pickett to the division, who is 1 of 2 people to beat Johnson, it shall be very interesting if they get to face each other again.

Though I predict DJ still being the champion by the end of 2014.

Ben Heather: Demetrious Johnson
Simply put Demetrious Johnson is the best flyweight on the planet!! He has already beat the top contenders in the division and I don't see him being troubled this year. I would love to say Brad Pickett could be champion, but at the minute he is still an unknown having not fought in the flyweight division yet, so I will stick with Mighty Mouse.

Sam Heard: Demetrious Johnson
No one imagined that Mighty Mouse had the power to put away long time #1 contender Joseph Benavidez, let alone in the first round. Johnson has now seen off the division’s top competition in style and I believe he should be able to continue his reign in 2014. His confidence must be sky-high. 


BANTAMWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Renan Barao
2014 will be the biggest year in bantamweight history, with Renan Barao taking on Dominick Cruz in a champion vs champion unification bout. While I wouldn't be surprise if Cruz comes out on top, I think Barao might be too much for Cruz who hasn't fought in over 2 years.

Tommy Strong: Renan Barao
It'll be over 2 years since Dominick last fought back in October 2011 defeating Demetrious Johnson to retain his Bantamweight title. It will be interesting to see if the time out with the ACL injury will take its toll on Cruz or make him a better fighter for the time off. Facing Renan Barao in February will be a very interesting fight, and Barao the current holder of the bantamweight interim title has all the tools and more to get his hands on the title.

Ben Heather: Urijah Faber
Man, Urijah Faber has to be one of the best fighters in the UFC to never hold a title. He wins every fight he has that isn't for a title but I think once Barao vs Cruz has unified the division, Faber will get his chance to get revenge against whoever is champion, a chance I feel he will come good on.

Sam Heard: Urijah Faber
Like a fine wine, Faber just keeps getting better and better with age. I thought his last fight against McDonald would be a difficult test for him but Faber was unchallenged as he picked up another submission win. Though he has already lost to Barao, that fight was very close and Faber seems to be the more improved since the two last fought (assuming of course that Barao beats Cruz).

 
FEATHERWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Jose Aldo
While it wouldn't surprise me if Aldo beats Lamas and commits to a move up to 155, I personally don't think it will come until the end of the year. I don't see anyone at 145 troubling Aldo.

Tommy Strong: Jose Aldo
I'll keep this very short and sweet! Jose Aldo is a beast for this weight. The only way I see Aldo not holding this title is if he decides to move up to Lightweight for new challenges!

Ben Heather: Cub Swanson
This is my most risky pick. The reason I have picked Cub gives away my next pick. I think Jose Aldo will vacate his title and move up to Lightweight in 2014 leaving a stacked division chance to move forward and the first fight to make should be Cub vs Chad Mendes in a rematch to decide the vacated title. I think Cub will get the better of that fight and become the next Featherweight champion.

Sam Heard: Jose Aldo
Even with an injured foot in his last fight against the Korean Zombie Aldo looked as good as ever. This year his biggest test will be the inevitable rematch against Chad Mendes whom he already overcame once in the very first round. Though knockout-machine-Mendes has looked vastly improved, I still believe the Featherweight division will be Aldo-town in 2014.


LIGHTWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Khabib Numagamedov
The lightweight division is a bit of a mess right now with 3 fighters in the division who can lay claim to being the number one contender - TJ Grant as was meant to fight for the title at UFC 164, Josh Thompson who was also meant to fight for it at UFC on FOX 9, and Gilbert Melendez who Dana White claimed was the number 1 contender after his epic battle with Diego Sanchez at 166.

So where does Khabib Nurmagomedov fit into all of this? Simple, with Pettis out injured the division will have to continue to fight each other. Sure it will take a lot for Numagamedov to get the title shot, but I expect Benson Henderson to beat Josh Thompson, knocking Thompson out of contention. I feel Grant may struggle with ring rust on his return. That would only leave Melendez who is rumoured to be fighting Nurmagomedov in the first quarter of the year. With a win over Melendez, Nurmagomedov would become no. 1 contender.

Tommy Strong: Benson Henderson
"Showtime" Pettis showed that his first win over then current lightweight champion Benson Henderson wasn't a fluke by defeating him via first round armbar! This division is stacked with talent, and on any given day we could see 3 or 4 different champions.

This is one of the hardest for me to try and predict, I'm sticking my neck on the line here: and the new Lightweight Champion: Benson Henderson.

Ben Heather: Jose Aldo 
As I said before I see Aldo moving up in weight. However I do not only think he will move up in weight but I think he will then get his shot and begin his reign over the lightweight division. This will lead to a lot of big fights at lightweight which will be great fun for all of us fans.

Sam Heard: Gilbert Melendez
The UFC’s most talented division’s title picture will be put on hold as champion Antony Pettis is out injured until mid-2014. Melendez, in my opinion, already did enough to earn championship gold with his (incorrect) split-decision loss to Bendo; this adversity should reinforce his determination to get another title shot with a different outcome.


WELTERWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Carlos Condit
While Johny Hendricks vs Robbie Lawler will see one of them crowned champion I don't expect either to hold the belt at the end if the year. While it really wouldn't surprise me to see Nick Diaz make a comeback in 2014 to fight for the belt, which I feel he could win. I actually expect Carlos Condit to be the champion of the welterweight division at the end of 2014.

With the retirement of GSP, Condit is the most well rounded fighter in the division. I expect Hendricks to beat Lawler to become champ, only to lose the title to Condit before the years out, with Condit picking up where he left off in round 3 of their first fight.

Tommy Strong: Johny Hendricks
With the devastating news that GSP will be taking an indefinite leave of absence. The UFC have announced that Johny Hendricks will take on Tom Lawler to decide who will become the new champion.

I'm pinning my hopes of Hendricks taking the win and holding the title he deserved in a controversial loss to GSP.  Again, this is another division that it wouldn't surprise me if it changed hands a couple of times this year.

If Hendricks can win the title, I think for 2014 he has the skills and power to hold onto the belt.

Ben Heather: Carlos ConditAt UFC 171 Hendricks will become the new welterweight champion. That same night Condit will get chance for a rematch when he wins the number 1 contender fight. Later in 2014 the two will meet and over 5 rounds I think Condit will be able to get his wish and not just be called interim champ but the undisputed welterweight champion.

Sam Heard: Carlos Condit
The likely winner of the vacant belt has got to be Hendricks. However, had his match against Carlos Condit been a five-round fight I firmly believe Condit would have won as he clearly had more left in the tank. Therefore if he gets a title shot I think he’ll get the W over Bigg Rigg. He first has to overcome Tyron Woodley which is no small task but if anyone can do it its Carlos.


MIDDLEWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Lyoto Machida
The middleweight division is by far the most intriguing going into 2014, with at least 4 or 5 fighters who could potentially be champion at the end of year. Regardless some of the fans thoughts, Chris Weidman is a worthy champion, and although he faces a tough test in Vitor Belfort, I expect Weidman to pass the test.

With a big win over Mousasi, I feel Machida could earn a shot as the middleweight title, and I think he has the skills to dethrone Weidman. Machida is a far better striker that Weidman and I think Chris Weidman would struggle to take Machida down. It really wouldn't surprise me either if Machida, knocked out Chris Weidman.

Tommy Strong: Vitor Belfort
Whatever you say about Weidman, he's champion and deserves to be. Beating Silva not once, but twice is no mean feat. With Silva going to be out for some time, and no word if he will return.

Up next for Weidman is Vitor Belfort, this In my opinion is an even harder test than Silva. Vitor has 3 knockouts in 2013 with victories over top ranked fighters, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and then the granite chinned Dan Henderson.

If this fights takes place in Brazil then Vitor has to be a firm favourite. I hope this happens in Las Vegas so we get to see a 'clean' Belfort and not one that has an advantage of being able to use TRT.

Ben Heather: Vitor Belfort
Even with his title fight against Weidman being in Vegas I think Belfort will pass all the required drugs tests. After all, we have just seen Antonio Silva fail a drugs test and if Vitor was still abusing the system he would have failed a test by now. I think Vitor's rise will continue and he will become a ufc champion again in 2014.

Sam Heard: Vitor Belfort
There is something preventing me jumping on the Weidman bandwagon and I don’t believe he will be the champion this time next year. Belfort had the best year of any fighter in 2013, consistently making some of the best fighters in the world look subpar. His hyper-aggressive style is probably as different a match-up to Silva as is humanly possible and I believe he can overwhelm Weidman.


LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Jon Jones 
With injuries to Pettis and Velasquez,  GSP retiring, and Anderson Silva out for at least a year if not for good, I expect 2014 to a busy year for Jon Jones, who the UFC will look to push in absence of some of the promotions stars. I expect Jones to run though his next opponent, Glover Texeria, and should be able to make the adjustment to beat Gustafsson.

I expect Daniel Cormier to provide Jones with his biggest challenge this year, but I think Jones wins this one also before committing to a move to heavyweight.

Tommy Strong: Jon Jones   
Jon Jones had the toughest fight of his career when he fought Alexander Gustafsson back in September winning via UD, which many thought was a very close fight and our fight of the year! Next up for Jones is the heavily hyped Glover Teixeira at UFC 172 in April. Glover known for his power and submissions will be up against it facing bones who has a reach and height advantage.

This one was a little easier for me to predict - Jones remains Champion.

Ben Heather: Jon Jones 
This is the easiest choice out of every division. Jon Jones is the pound 4 pound best fighter in the world and will still hold both that title and his UFC belt come this time next year.

Sam Heard: Daniel Cormier
DC will be making his overdue debut into the 205lb division this year and I believe that if he takes well to the weight-cut he possesses the tools to dethrone the current p4p #1 Jon Jones. DC’s Olympic-class wrestling is supplemented by his decent striking and athleticism. A win over Rashad who has himself looked fantastic of late should be enough to get him a title shot.


HEAVYWEIGHT

Chris Houten: Cain Velasquez 
I predicted earlier in the week in My Bold Predictions for 2014 that I don't expect to see Velasquez fight this year and I'm sticking to it. The champions injury seems pretty bad, and Velasquez has a history of delayed recoveries. Should Velasquez return to the octagon this year however, I do rather fancy Werdum's chances against Velasquez, should Werdum beat Travis Browne.

Tommy Strong: Cain Velasquez
Cain has surprised me since his defeat to JDS. After that defeat, I didn't think we would see him get even better. With two stunning and brutal victories in his rematches to JDS no one in the division will be relishing the prospect of fighting the Mexican.

Cain was due to fight Fabricio Werdum at UFC 172, though was forced to pull out due to an injury. With JDS unlikely to get a rematch anytime soon, and maybe the only fighter that could possibly give him a tough fight is his training partner (Daniel Cormier) and he is moving down to light heavyweight. I Think Cain will hold onto the belt for at least another year or two. But as we all know in the heavyweight division, it only takes one punch for things to change!!  

Ben Heather: Cain Velasquez
I don't see Cain fighting in 2014. I think his injury is worse than the UFC have let on. So therefore he will still be the champ.

However, in his absence I think a interim champ will be crowned and that man is Travis Browne. Whether it be against Werdum or somebody else I see his great run of form carrying on in to 2014.

If Cain is back I think Browne will get a shot at Cain but Cain gets the win in that fight to keep his title.

Sam Heard: Cain Velasquez
Perhaps the most stable champion in the entire UFC. The Mexican was steps ahead of JDS at UFC 166; the second best heavyweight is himself head and shoulders better than the rest of the heavyweight competition so this demonstrates just how good Cain is. The likelihood is his first test of the year will be Werdum who I am not massively impressed by.
 

STRAWWEIGHT (WOMEN)

Chris Houten: Carla Esparza
A lot of people are gunning for Jo Jo Calderwood to win TUF 20 and go on to be the Strawweight champion. I do see her doing particularly well, however I feel Carla Esparza has the wrestling background to neutralise the striking of Calderwood, gain top position and grind out a decision, should the two meet at some stage in the tournament. 

Tommy Strong: Carla Esparza
With the announcement of the UFC introducing a new women's 115b strawweight division, TUF 20 ( 'TheUltimate Fighter') will have a new look this year, with the winner of the show being crowned the new champion of the division.

I really can't wait for this. They have shown since the arrival of the bantamweights, they belong here and brought new excitement to the fans.

With 11 of the 16 cast named, we are yet to know who the other 5 might be. Of the 11 named, we are in for a real treat with the likes of Carla Esparza, Claudia Gadelha, Felice Herrig to name a few. We might even see the first British fighter crowned as a UFC champion in Joanne Calderwood.

In the end though, I think Carla Esparza has the tools to become the first Womens 115lb champ.

Ben Heather: Joanne Calderwood
Whoever wins the TUF 20 series will be the champ at the end of the year and I think Jojo is the British hope the UFC has needed to bring home a championship title. She is certainly a top contender and with a bit of luck in the house we could see her have that belt placed around her waist by the end of the year.

Sam Heard: Carla EsparzaArguably one of the harder classes to call as we can’t predict how the inhabitants of the all-new strawweight division will fair on the big stage that is the UFC. However, the former Invicta Strawweight champion looked comfortable at the top, dispatching an array of world-class opponents so she is the most prudent pick to be the champion come year’s end


BANTAMWEIGHT (WOMEN)

Chris Houten: Cat Zingano 
2014 is going to be the busiest and toughest year to date for current champion Ronda Rousey. Up first for Rousey is fellow Olympian Sara McMann who should provide a stern test for Rousey but one which I think she will pass. Waiting in the wings though are the winner of Davis vs Eye and Cat Zingano.

Having watched every fight Rousey has had as a pro I still feel she has flaws in her striking - particularly her defense, and I expect someone to be able to take advantage of these flaws awfully soon. 

Rousey is open to be hit and if Zingano catches her the same way she did Tate, it will be game over.

Tommy Strong: Ronda Rousey
Love her or hate her, Ronda is great for the UFC and MMA in general. If not for her, maybe we still wouldn't see women's mma within the UFC. The women have brought a breath of fresh air to the UFC and long may it continue.

Ronda is coming off a spectacular victory over her arch enemy Miesha Tait last Saturday via her trademark armbar. Great to see her back in action so soon, with the announcement straight after the fight that Ronda would face Sarah McMann a former Silver Medallist at the 2004 summer Olympics. If anyone can withstand Ronda's take downs it surely has to be Mcmann?

Though Sarah hasn't fought the calibre Ronda has, and not been in the spotlight with all the attention like Ronda. If Mcmann can't beat Ronda, I fear unless we see Cyborg fight, the title will be hers for as long as she wishes. 

Ben Heather: Ronda Rousey
I see Rousey defending her title a few times in the year and adding some more arms to her collection. UFC 170 will certainly be her toughest test to date though as McMann may be able to defend her incredible take downs.

Sam Heard: Ronda Rousey
After her recent victory at UFC 168 it would take a bold man to predict the end of the Rousey-era in 2014. Despite losing her streak of first-round victories, Rousey’s grappling and judo throws looked awesome against Tate. Although her striking still clearly isn’t world-class, I believe her amazing ground game will be enough to keep her on top.

Eddie Wineland vs Renan Barao is back on

Barao vs Wineland to co main event UFC 165

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

Wineland gets his chance again as Renan Barao v Eddie Wineland has been made official for UFC 165.
The fight will serve as chief support to Jones v Gustaffson and will see the Canadian fans in Toronto get to witness two title fights on the card.

The original bout was scheduled to main event UFC 161 but an injury to the interim champion put a stop to that. Wineland had feared he may have lost his opportunity at the champion due to circumstances beyond his control. Barao was originally expected to be out for a lot longer. If this was the case most people expected for him to come back and battle Cruz to crown a true champion of the bantamweight division.

Dominick Cruz is still somehow the champion of the division despite not defending his belt for close to 2 years now. He is back in training now but with no return date scheduled. This will be Barao's 2nd defense of his interim belt which makes a mockery of what the belt is really intended for. He is by all accounts the best in the division and a deserving champion. Wineland won't care about that and gets the chance he thought he had lost to take the belt away from Brazil. Can he replicate what Chris Weidman did at the weekend and bring another title back to the USA.

Barao out of UFC 161 Injured, Evans vs Henderson Now Headlines

Foot injury forces interim champ Renan Barao out of UFC 161

by Tommy Strong @Strong_tea

The UFC have officially announced that Interim UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao, will no longer be headlining UFC 161 after being forced to pull out due to a foot injury.

Barao (30-1-1-NC) was due to headline the event for his Interim belt against Eddie Wineland (20-8-1). There has been no official statement by the UFC regarding Wineland. Whether he remain on the card, or not we will have to wait and see but it could mean he has to wait a little longer to get his shot at the belt.

The headline spot has now been taken by the original co-main event which will see Dan Henderson take on Rashad Evans. It has also been confirmed that this fight will take place over 3 rounds and not 5 rounds which is now the standard for all main event fights. 

Evans (22-3-1) is coming into the fight on back to back unanimous decision losses, first to Jon Jones at UFC 145 for the UFC light heavyweight title and more recently and surprisingly to Antionio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156 in February. Dan Henderson saw his title shot against Jon Jones go up in smoke when he lost in a split decision to Lyoto Machida at UFC 157. This will be a good chance for both fighters to get back into the title mix.

A fight that has also just been announced and added to the main card of UFC 161, which will see Roy "Big Country" Nelson (19-7) face Stipe Miocic (9-1).

Renan Barao Meets Eddie Wineland at UFC 161

UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao defend his belt at UFC 161 against Eddie Wineland

A Title bout between interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao (30-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) and former WEC bantamweight champ Eddie Wineland (20-8-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will headline UFC 161.

Barao who recently defending his interim belt in London at UFC on Fuel 7 against Michael MacDonald winning the fight via 4th round Arm Triangle, is currently riding 30 fight win streak, including 5 ufc wins over  top ten opponents in Uriah Faber, Scott Jorgensen, and The UKs Brad Pickett.

His opponent Eddie Wineland lost his fist 2 fights in the UFC before bouncing back with wins over common opponents in Jorgensen and Pickett.

It was originally believed following his win against MacDonald, Barao would fight injured UFC Champion Dominic Cruz to unify the Bantamweight title, however the announcement of Barao vs Wineland indicates Cruz - who has not fought since October 2011, will need longer to heal the the originally estimate 6 to 9 months,  following a second knee surgery in December.

UFC 161 takes place on June 15 at MTS Centre in Winnipeg and is the promotion's first visit to the Manitoba province in Canada. Already booked for the event are Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and Jake Shields-Tyron Woodley.

Stay tune for the latest on UFC 161 in the calendar section of our website.