Anderson Silva VS Chris Weidman
Anderson Silva, mixed martial arts’ pound-for-pound kingpin, will make his 11th consecutive title defence against challenger Chris Weidman on July 6.
Silva announced himself in the UFC’s 185lb division in 2006 when he knocked out Chris Leben, and has torn through everyone he’s encountered since. The 38-year-old hasn’t lost any speed, and appears to be improving with each fight in the octagon, as he continues to surprise fighters and make mixed martial arts history.
29-year-old Weidman (9-0) has been on an impressive run, and is undefeated in his professional career. He’s picked up notable wins over Mark Munoz and Ultimate Fighter standout Urijah Hall, and was the logical choice for ‘The Spider’s’ next challenge, despite having competed only five times in the UFC.
Weidman’s inexperience inside the octagon is the main concern for his supporters. While he’s looked impressive thus far in his career, Silva has achieved more than anyone under the Zuffa banner, and even previously ascended up to light heavyweight and returned to his natural division without a scratch.
In 2010, Chael Sonnen essentially drew the blueprint to overthrow Silva, and many believe that the NCAA Division I All-American wrestler is a younger, better-rounded version of Sonnen, and many believe he could offer enough to pose a serious threat to Silva’s reign. However, the odds once again suggest Silva will leave Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena with the weight of gold around his waist once again.
Paul Daley VS Lukasz Chlewicki
Heavy-handed British welterweight Paul Daley will do battle with Lukasz Chlewicki at Cage Warriors 57 on July 20
Former UFC competitor Daley (32-12-2) has won his last three fights in a row, claiming his latest victory in May with a second round knockout over Rodrigo Ribeiro in the Dubai Fighting Championship.
His opponent, Polish prospect Chlewicki (10-2-1), has gone undefeated in his last six fights. After losing to UFC veteran Demian Maia he took a five year break from the sport, but has now reignited his passion for MMA and has looked impressive since returning to the cage.
Daley, who was cut from the UFC following a sucker punch to Josh Koscheck after the bell in their 2010 bout, performed well under a number of organisations away from the Zuffa umbrella. For Chlewicki, this fight presents the opportunity to score a win over a well-known name in the sport.
The clash takes place in the main event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, and will mark the first time Cage Warrior’s has visited the venue since 2006.
Frankie Edgar VS Charles Oliveira
There’s no doubt that Frankie Edgar remains one of the most talented fighters in the UFC’s lighter divisions, but he’s now finding himself fighting to snap a three-fight losing streak.
Anyone who watched Edgar’s (15-4-1) last three fights will know that each one has been extremely controversial, with many people feeling his back-to-back fights against Benson Henderson should have gone his way.
Charles Oliveira (16-3-1) is a dangerous submission expert, and secured his last win via anaconda choke over former Ultimate Fighter victor Jonathon Brookins. However, in his last fight in September 2012, he was knocked out by Cub Swanson in the first round, but he has now been given the chance to take out one of the biggest names in the organisation on July 6.
Edgar’s last bout with 145lb champion Jose Aldo ended in a controversial defeat, and a convincing win could immediately thrust the former 155lb champion back in the featherweight title picture.
Rory Macdonald VS Jake Ellenberger
Rory Macdonald is fast approaching a title shot, but standing in his way is MMA veteran Jake Ellenberger at UFC on Fox 8.
It’s a huge fight in the UFC’s welterweight division. Rory Macdonald’s (14-1) star is rising, and he’s only 23-years-old. So far in his professional career he’s defeated opponents with much more experience than him, including UFC legend BJ Penn, as well as coming within inches of defeating Carlos Condit in his second ever UFC fight.
His opponent, Jake Ellenberger (29-6), last appeared in the octagon in March when he knocked out Nate Marquardt. Ellenberger’s heavy hands and are certainly enough to pose any welterweight problems and, alongside than Condit, he will be the highest-ranked opponent the Canadian has encountered.
With Jonny Hendricks next in line for a shot at Georges St-Pierre’s crown, the winner of this fight is likely to be considered as the next in line for a chance to fight for the gold.
Roger Gracie VS Tim Kennedy
Roger Gracie will carry the torch for the founding family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu when he makes his UFC debut against veteran Tim Kennedy.
Unsurprisingly, Gracie (6-1) has followed in the footsteps of his family and has used his excellent submission skills to work his way up the Strikeforce middleweight ladder. His only loss came at the hands of Muhammad Lawal, and he’s finished five of his six victories by submission.
Kennedy (15-4) is an army and MMA veteran with his own impressive grappling credentials, but most expect that he will be planning to use his striking advantage to spoil the arrival of Gracie on July 6 at UFC 162.
Lewis Smith
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