Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira VS Fabricio Werdum
Two Brazilian jiu-jitsu experts will meet in the headlining bout of UFC on Fuel 10, as legendary UFC veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira takes on Fabricio Werdum.
Werdum (22-5) has won both his fights since joining the UFC in early 2012, but hasn’t fought inside the octagon for almost a year. His elite-level BJJ was most famously on show when he shocked the MMA world by triangle choking the supposedly unstoppable Fedor Emelianenko in 2010.
Nogueira (34-7), however, is royalty in the BJJ world. While the Brazilian has shown he can, on extremely rare occasions, be submitted, as Frank Mir brutally demonstrated in 2011. However, his grappling is on a different level to almost everyone in the heavyweight division.
On top of his grappling pedigree, he has fight-changing boxing in his arsenal. Often when two strong grapplers meet, they cancel each other out and a striking contest ensues. It’s likely ‘Big Nog’ will want to try and outbox Werdum, rather than test his compatriot’s proven BJJ.
Mamed Khalidov VS Melvin Manhoef
Despite the original postponement, Melvin Manhoef and Mamed Khalidov will finally collide in the KSW 23 main event on June 8.
They were originally booked to meet in December last year, but the bout was cancelled wehn Manhoef was forced out with an injury.
32-year-old Mamed Khalidov (26-4) has won his last six fights, all of which were finished, with only one making it out of the opening round. He will hope to continue this impressive run against Manhoef, and add another stoppage victory to his list.
Manhoef (37-10) is a veteran of the sport, with this upcoming bout marking his 48th MMA appearance. He’s won three of his last four fights, but was handed a defeat in his most recent outing by Brock Larson.
Josh Burkman VS Jon Fitch
Jon Fitch will begin life outside of the UFC with a headlining bout against Josh Burkman in his World Series of Fighting 3 debut.
To the surprise of many, 35-year-old Fitch (24-5-1) was cut from the UFC in February, following a loss to top welterweight Demian Maia. Despite an impressive record, his grinding wrestling style wasn’t always well-received by the fans. Now he has the chance to make an immediate impact over one of another former UFC veteran.
For Burkman (15-9), it’s not only a chance to get a win over a one of the top welterweights on the planet, but it’s the opportunity to avenge a submission loss he suffered to Fitch in 2006. The 32-year-old is 7-1 since leaving the UFC in 2008, and has won his last four consecutive bouts.
Rashad Evans VS Dan Henderson
Two giants of the light heavyweight division will collide at UFC 161, as Rashad Evans takes on Dan Henderson on June 15.
Both former champions have recently suffered losses, but that doesn’t make this fight any less meaningful. They are both high level wrestlers, who have the ability to end fights in an instant with a knockout.
Henderson recently was frustrated by Lyoto Machida at UFC 157, losing by split decision. Evans was also unable to perform in his last fight with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in February, which ended with a loss by unanimous decision.
42-year-old ‘Hendo’ is certainly in the twilight of his career, but that illusive title shot with Jon Jones could reappear with a dominant win, while Evans needs a victory if he has any hope of working his way back towards the top of the division.
This fight has the potential to display some of the top wrestling on offer in mixed martial arts, as well as the chance of an explosive right hand from either fighter that could end the contest in a split second.
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