Good fight. Looking like an awesome card... A third bout between Gray Maynard and Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar is targeted for this event, however, Edgar will first have to be cleared by a physician as he is medically suspended until July 1 after sustaining a nasal fracture during his last bout. A bout between Clay Guida and Anthony Pettis Is possible for this event or UFC 131. Other bouts in the works include: Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson Quinton Jackson vs. Thiago Silva Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve
130 looks like an absolutely brilliant card. I was looking at it today before Guida vs. Pettis popped up, I support it thoroughly. It's like UFC 125 Part II, and I think that was one of the strongest and delivering cards since UFC 116. And I hope to ****ing christ Guida doesn't lose. I actually think Pettis has made a big mistake with that fight. He's going to far with his "watch my next highlight move". Wouldn't try that **** too often, lad. Although if there's anyone who he's going to do it on it'll be Guida. Rick Story seems like big news, and I'm glad that Struve isn't being fed to someone, his stock keeps growing with every fight he takes. I think he could be a contender if not now then in the next few years. He's only young so he can only grow (no pun intended). And I really am not bothered by Thiago Silva vs. Rampage, mostly because any mention of Thiago Silva and I just groan. I ****ing hate that guy. Everyone sees it as an exciting fight and it not going the distance but I can foresee a snorefest. Rampage isn't what he once was and Thiago's continuing the trolling using the good Silva name.
Pettis is a terrible fight for Guida. He is going to get schooled in the standup, and he won't be able to hold him down. Pettis' scrambling ability has proven to be stunning thus far. Mir/Nelson is 50/50.
I think Clay needs that sort of fight though. If he's ever going to be a champion, this is the time to step up and face someone like this. It's the perfect fight for both men. Pettis might not be good enough for the fully fledged lightweight division (I doubt it) and Guida might never get there (I don't doubt it), so it's a great fight to make. It'll tell us exactly where both of these fighters are, once and for all. I can't say I won't be sad to see Guida realise once and for all he isn't getting a title shot though, so fingers crossed. And yeah, I really have no idea what'll occur in the Mir/Nelson rematch. I'm leaning towards Nelson via KO though.
Guida is a great fight for Pettis to showcase himself. It always seems to work out for the UFC. Had Maynard won and Pettis fought him or even against Edgar, it would have been boring. Now they have a trilogy, a WEC champ who needs to make himself known and whoever loses between Edgar and Maynard is still a top contender. If Guida wins then the Rocky story continues.
if its made Mir will destroy Nelson, Rogan will tout it as his best performance to date, "he's back better than ever, healthy & focused" bring on Carwin.
I think Mir takes it fairly easily, he is the far better striker, and while he did lose that grappling match, he got the better of it earlier, and has always aimed his grappling at MMA.
In other news, I've heard Shane Carwin might be fighting Big Ben Fatwell at UFC 131. What's the point, seriously?
I saw that footage of Mir and Nelson a while back, and wondered how much different it would be if Mir were allowed to strike. Mir has the advantage in this fight, but Nelson will be a ko threat any time the fight is standing. That's not to say Mir won't ko Nelson. Arlovski is a better striker than Mir, but I wouldn't bet that he hits any harder.
this is identical to how the fight will go. mir will be all but raping him for the first half of the fight but roy will just want it that much more and finish all over a gassed and mentally beaten mir
Ben Rothwell is a big, tough, and dangerous heavyweight. He was the IFL champion with a win over Nelson at one point. I'd pick him over anyone in the Strikeforce roster from Bigfoot on down - but not the big dogs like Fedor, Werdum, Barnett or Ubereem. It's a good bounce back fight for Carwin after an injury and layoff.
winner deserves an immediate title shot not really, but this is what i like about UFC - they usually match their fighters very well. hope big country pulls out the win here :smoke
I think both men have improved over the years and this will be more of a technical stalemate. It would be nice if the fight boiled over and Mir and Nelson really went at each other. Could be a good fight.