Cain Velasquez VS Bigfoot Silva
Heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva are scheduled to lock horns at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena for the second time, as Silva is given a chance at redemption and the heavyweight crown in the UFC 160 main event.
They last went toe-to-toe in May 2012, six months after Velasquez (11-1) was dethroned by Junior dos Santos. The 30-year-old quickly disposed of Silva (18-4), by utilising his wrestling to stifle his opponent’s substantial power before unleashing vicious strikes to seal the TKO victory. Since the first bout, Velasquez has recaptured the title, and ‘Bigfoot’ has been pulled off back-to-back wins by dismantling both Travis Browne and Alistair Overeem.
In Velasquez, his opponent has to worry about dazzling hand speed combined with devastating power, as well as high-level wrestling. Silva is known for throwing power punches, but moves his gargantuan frame surprisingly well, and is almost certainly going to approach this rematch with a better-formed game plan.
Glover Teixeira VS James Te Huna
Heavy-handed Glover Teixeira and James Te Huna are set to meet on the main card of UFC 160 on May 25, in an encounter that has the potential to steal the show.
Brazilian powerhouse Teixeira (20-2) has forged a remarkable 18-fight win streak with his combination of dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu and knockout power. Since joining the UFC almost a year ago, he’s demolished Kyle Kingsbury, Fabio Maldonado, and former 205lb ruler Rampage Jackson in impressive fashion.
Te Huna has been sending waves through the division with his willingness to empty every chamber and engage, pulling out TKO wins over Ricardo Romero and Aaron Rosa. Having collected a 5-1 record in the UFC, he was the logical choice to replace Ryan Bader when he pulled out of the original match.
This is a big opportunity for the 205lb prospects to launch themselves into the title mix, as potential opponents for champion Jon Jones seem to thin out.
Rey Docyogen VS Yasurio Urishitani
Explosive fighters Rey Docyogen and Yasuhiro Urishitani will battle in front of 20,000 spectators at ONE FC 9: Rise to Power, at the MOA Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Docyogen (11-1) will compete in his home territory, where he rose to prominence with vicious ground and pound and submission skills. ‘The Punisher’ is returning to the ONE FC cage after a loss to Shinichi Kojima, and the 30-year-old, who’s been linked with the UFC, will be determined to get back to winning ways in this next clash.
Urishitani (19-6-6) is a striking expert, and the latest Japanese fighter to be signed to the promotion. He’s looking to bounce back from two losses, one of which was to UFC flyweight phenom Joseph Benavidez in March last year. With 31 fights under his belt, he has all the experience and knowledge required to make this a memorable fight.
Fallen Fox VS Alanna Jones
Transgender fighter Fallon Fox has made headlines recently, and has now been booked to meet Alanna Jones at the Championship Fighting Alliance on May 24.
Fox, (2-0) who has won both her professional fights by first-round knockout, will fight 26-year-old Jones (2-1) in the 145lb championships semi finals in the co-main event, but the fight is has become well-known for the level of controversy surrounding it, rather than the skill of both competitors.
Some feel the fight could potentially open the floodgates for more seemingly unfair contests in the grey area of the sport and, depending on the result, could raise even more controversy.
Many have argued that Fox shouldn’t be competing in the women’s divisions, due to an unfair advantage in muscle mass and testosterone, but Jones has taken the fight, and it’s expected to go ahead.
Cage Warriors Fight Night 8 will feature a main event showdown between welterweights Jack ‘The Stone’ Mason and Collin Reuter on May 11.
The event will take place Al Fujairah Tennis Club in Al Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, after Reuter stepped in when original opponent David Bielkheden suffered an injury.
22-year-old Reuter (9-1-1) has become known for his highlight reel knockout of Gerald Fike in February, which was arguably the most impressive victory on his current three-fight win streak. The Alaskan has finished eight of his nine professional opponents, and overcoming the veteran Mason would be a huge step forward in his career.
Mason (23-11) has also put together a string of three consecutive victories, including a TKO victory over Matt Inman at Cage Warriors 52 back in March. The Englishman, who represents Tsunami Gym in Cambridge, will need to use all his experience inside the cage to halt the rising star and refuse him his tenth professional triumph.
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