In October’s edition of “Fight to Watch” we take another look around the globe for the best showdowns MMA has to offer. These fights include a man looking to become the first Englishman to become a world champion in an international promotion since 2010. As well a plucky American who looks to avenge a 1st round KO loss to a UFC P4P ranked fighter and much more.
Eduardo Dantas vs. Joe Warren – Bellator 128, October 10th.
Nova Uniao fighter and current Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas makes his long awaited return from injury this Friday at Bellator 128. The 25-year-old Brazilian will put his title on the line when he faces the self proclaimed “baddest man on the planet” and the current interim bantamweight champion Joe Warren in a unification fight. Checkout the video preview below.
Ryan Ford vs. Jake Shields – WSOF 14, October 11th.
Former Strikeforce middleweight champion and UFC title challenger Jake Shields will make his long awaited World Series of Fighting debut against Ryan Ford on this Saturday’s WSOF 14 card. “Skrap Pack” member shields was last seen in action when he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Hector Lombard at UFC 171 this past March, and will face Tristar Gym fighter Ford who is currently riding a 6-fight win streak that has seen him rack up wins in Bellator against Luis Santos and Kyle Baker along the way.
Marat Gafurov vs. Rob Lisita – ONE FC 21, October 17th.
Australian featherweight “Ruthless” Rob Lisita will look to get back into title contention when he meets Russia’s Marat Gafurov at ONE FC: Roar of Tigers. The Phuket Top Team fighter who suffered a shock submission loss to Eric “The Natural” in his last outing will look to get back to winning ways by defeating team Fighting Eagle’s Gafurov who is currently undefeated in his MMA career, boasting nine consecutive wins including five submissions and one TKO. Checkout the video preview below.
David Branch vs. Yushin Okami – WSOF 15, October 24th.
Current World Series of Fighting Middleweight Champion David Branch will attempt his first defense of the title when takes on former UFC middleweight title challenger Yushin “Thunder” Okami at WSOF 15 in a fight that many feel will Branch’s toughest test to date.
Emanuel Newton vs. Linton Vassell – Bellator 130, October 24th.
Emanuel Newton puts his light heavyweight title on the line against UK light heavyweight Linton “The Swarm” Vassell. Newton, who makes the second defence of his title, will look to continue the hot streak his is on by racking up his seventh win in a row when he faces the Englishman. Likewise, the man dubbed “The Swarm” will look to win his tenth in a row and in turn secure the light heavyweight title in the process to become the first British world champion since Ronnie Mann won the Shark Fights featherweight title in September, 2010.
Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes – UFC 179, October 25th.
UFC featherweight kingpin and current No. 2 ranked P4P fighter Jose Aldo will aim to make the seventh defense of his crown against Chad “Money” Mendes. With Team Alpha Male fighter Mendes looking to avenge a 1st round KO loss at the hands of Aldo at UFC 142, and with Nova Uniao looking to punish Mendes for some dispraising remarks he has leveled at the Brazilian in the lead up to their second clash, this match up has fireworks written all over it. Checkout the video preview below.
