In episode #012, we're back to preview the upcoming UFC pay-per-view event, UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2. I'm joined by my co-host, Marcus Mitchell, as we delve into the Facebook prelims, the FX prelims, and finally the main card in what is sure to be contender for the best of the year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6YOkZehRnw
Episode Summary: There are several jewels hidden away in the undercard that are definitely worth watching. One of the very best is the Flyweight match-up between John Moraga (11-1) and #7 Chris Cariaso (14-3). Both of these fighters love to stand and bang. You can expect fireworks, but we give the slight edge to Moraga with his high level wrestling pedigree. Next comes Leonard Garcia (15-9-1) vs. Max Holloway (6-1) in a Featherweight match-up. Garcia has lost three straight and his most recent wins have come off of highly controversial split decisions over the Korean Zombie and Nam Phan. It goes without saying that his spot in the promotion is on the line. He faces a promising, young prospect in the Hawaiian with a beautiful arsenal of kicks and punches. A heavyweight match-up between Englishman and submission specialist Phil De Fries (11-1) and Todd Duffee (7-2) promises a finish, if not a spectacular display of skills. Duffee has shown considerable chin issues and is coming off of a 1-fight, 2-year lay-off after being dismantled in 19 seconds by Alistair Overeem. If you want to stop to restock your snacks and beverages, this is probably a good fight to do it. Next come a pair of Lightweight fights. The first is TUF runner-up Michael Johnson (12-6) facing off against Myles "Fury" Jury (10-0). Don't let Jury's record fool you. He's fought mostly no name opponents and picked up a loss to Al Iaquinta in an Ultimate Fighter exhibition match. They are followed by a rescheduled match from the TUF 16 Finale between Melvin Guillard (30-11-2, 1 NC) against Jamie Varner (30-7-1, 2 NC) in a fight that is quickly gaining bad blood as Guillard continues to accuse Varner of faking his illness to avoid fighting. Bantamweight Erik Perez (12-4) gets a tune-up against Byron Bloodworth (6-2) in likely the most lob-sided match of the night. The last fight on the undercard is a real steal, one that should have been on the PPV. #4 Brad "One Punch" Pickett (22-6) faces off against #5 Eddie Wineland (19-8-1). If you watch only one fight on the undercard, this is the one. Both of these Bantamweights have among the best power in the division with 17 KOs between them. This will be a FotN candidate for sure. The main card kicks off with a bit of a sideshow as oft suspended and troubled Chris Leben (12-8) faces off against promotional newbie Derek Brunson (9-2). Leben, light on skill and athleticism, has lost his only saving grace, his granite chin (2 KOs defeats in the last 3 fights). If you like spectacles, tune in. If you like mixed martial arts, take a bathroom break. Two Middleweight bouts follow with struggling #8 Yushin Okami (27-7) against surging Alan Belcher (18-6). With his impressive BJJ defense against Toquinho and his well-rounded skills, Belcher is set to take a big step into the elite of the division, but Okami may have enough in the tank to wall-n-stall another victory and right the ship. They are followed by #5 Tim Boetsch (16-4) against over-matched replacement Costa Philippou (11-2, 1 NC). This is a huge test for Costa as he's being put against a red hot Boetsch, 4-0 as a Middleweight. Expect Boetsch's wrestling to be the deciding factor in this fight. The co-main event features two submission specialists in the lightweight division that have both subbed Melvin Guillard via RNC in Round 1. I'm of course talking about Joe Lauzon (22-7) against Jim Miller (21-4). While this fight is not a title eliminator, it does set the stage for the winner to be in the title discussion for 2013. Finally, the big fight, the rematch. Cain Velasquez (10-1) attempts to reclaim his crown from the man that humiliated him in a 1-minute KO in the first ever Fox card, current Champion Junior Dos Santos (15-1). JDS has marched through a who's who of the HW division without even a real challenge. Will Cain offer a better fight the second time around? Or is the only true contender the soon returning Alistair Overeem?
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