Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Melendez will both make their UFC debuts in April after the UFC confirmed the two headline fights for UFC on FOX 7. Cormier, who signed off his Strikeforce career with a second-round technical knockout of Dion Staring at the weekend, has got his wish to fight Frank Mir, while Melendez will have a shot at UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson. Former UFC champion Mir was due to fight Cormier in Strikeforce in November, but was forced to pull out with an injury. "I signed my UFC contract," Cormier announced after his victory on Saturday. "April 20 on FOX, Frank Mir, let's do it. It was supposed to happen, and we were supposed to fight in Oklahoma, so he owes it to me." Meanwhile, Henderson will make the third defence of his title as he takes on Melendez, Strikeforce's last 155-pound champion, in a much-anticipated showdown.UFC on FOX 7 is scheduled to take place on April 20 in San Jose, California Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/188451.html#HUO75f8jyEBpsDfC.99
Just a year ago, it would have been really hard to get excited over Matt Brown. He's come a long way. Good for him.
I like Brown and Hardy, too bad they will be hurting each other. Dan Hardy has got to jump on dat ass in order to be successful. I smell a WAR, and I think it may end in that opening round.
Agreed with everyone Hardy vs Brown should be a hell of a fight. Melendez-Hendo should be a great fight as well but I favor Hendo to take this. I think Hendo is going to be Champ for awhile I think he has a great size advantage over just about everyone at 155. I like the Cormier-Mir matchup to and like always you can NEVER count out Frank Mir with heavy hands and submissions like that. What I dont like is Cormier planning to go to 205 but fighting this Heavyweight bout. I would be bothered to see Jones fighting Vitor, Sonnen then Cormier all 3 are good fighters but none deserving of an automatic 205 title shot especially when you got Gustafson, Hendo-Machida winner, Teixera or even Anderson Silva out there.
Mir by upset Barnett was landing a lot of good clean punches but Barnett has no punching power. Franklin does have punching power and will Ko Cormier if he lands like Barnett was landing.
Agreed. I liked him ever since I saw him on TUF. Just seems like a really honest, hardworking, blue-collar type of fighter. Really pleased about the year he had. I think he was the only guy in the UFC to go 4-0 last year? I saw a fight he had awhile ago where he lost a decision and pretty much got robbed, he took the mic and basically said "I don't give a **** about a judges decision, I'm here for the fans and if you guys enjoyed the fight that's good enough for me." :hat
Mir is definitely a good chance to spring an upset. Don't see Melendez beating Bendo though. Not because Melendez isn't good, but because Henderson just looks more powerful and generally better every time we see him. :hat
Can't wait for Gil and Henderson. I think Henderson takes a lopsided decision, but it will still be an exciting fight. Lots of scrambles. Mir is going to get destroyed. He might retire after this fight. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with some serious injuries. Brown vs Hardy will be a war.
You're crazy. Cormier will just light Mir up standing. Mir has NO way of getting Cormier to the ground. :deal
Haha, I think Cormier KO's Mir. Cormier's boxing might not be superb, but Mir was standing straight up and down, chin right out there vs. JDS.. Only chance Mir has is if Cormier goes to the ground with him, and I think Cormier has the advantage there as well. I think that Milendez has a shot at controlling Hendo.. That's all I got to say about that..