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The crazy UFC schedule continues as this Saturday is show number 4 of 9 over a seven week stretch.
Saturday is New Mexico on Fox Sports 1 with what should be a fun card...
Benson Henderson vs. Rustam Khabilov
A big lightweight fight because Bendo is fighting to stay at the top of the division and get the first crack at the Pettis/Gilbert winner in 2015...of course, he'll almost definitely need 2 wins to get that shot. Here, Henderson is the former champion who won a controversial split decision from Josh Thomson (I had Thomson winning) in January. Enter one of the dangerous Russians in Khabilov who is 17-1 overall and that one defeat was a split decision three years ago in the Ukraine. In America, he's 4-0 and has been impressive in each fight. Last fought in November and beat Jorge Masvidal. He's a training partner of undefeated 22-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov who is also among the top lightweight contenders.
A dangerous fight for Henderson because Rustam has no name and is a legit dangerous opponent. Lots of respect to Benson for taking the fight.
Diego Sanchez vs. Ross Pearson
Diego is only 32, but he's been around forever and this is his 32nd pro fight. He's on a two fight losing streak (the war with Gilbert Melendez and the loss to Myles Jury). His last win came in March 2013 against Gomi. Pearson has not lost a fight since 2012 and that was at featherweight. Since returning to 155, he has knocked out George Sotiropoulos and Ryan Couture. His fight with Melvin Guillard last October ended prematurely due to an illegal knee from Melvin. Two guys on opposite ends of their career, Pearson should win but who knows when Diego doesn't have an off night.
John Dodson vs. John Moraga
Dodson is one of the more entertaining fighters to watch because he's so fast. He's a top flyweight contender looking to earn a rematch with champion Demetrious Johnson (he lost a decision to him early last year). We last saw him in October knock out Darrell Montague...yes, a flyweight with KO power. Moraga also has a loss to Johnson, he was tapped out last summer. He bounced back in January to beat Dustin Ortiz by decision.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Jason High
This is a drop down to 155 for High who is 2-0 since last summer (those were at 170) and a big opportunity here. RDA was on a five-fight win streak before losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in April. Can he avoid consecutive losses in the UFC (he started his UFC run 0-2 but is 9-3 since).
Yves Edwards vs. Piotr Hallmann
Yves has had over 60 official pro fights and is always entertaining but the 37-year-old was brutally knocked out in his last fight (Yancy Medeiros later failed a drug test and the result was overturned). Yves has not won since 2012, so he needs a good performance here. Hallmann is a Polish prospect who lost to Al Iaquinta in October, ending his 10-fight win streak. He submitted Francisco Trinaldo in his UFC debut late last summer.
Bryan Caraway vs. Erik Perez
24-year-old Mexican star Perez is 4-1 in the UFC and that loss came against the only top contender he's fought, Takeya Mizkugaki (by split decision). Now, he's fighting Caraway (most famous for being Miesha Tate's longtime boyfriend), who is 3-1 in the UFC. He has not fought since April 2013 on short notice when he choked out Johnny Bedford. He also has a split decision loss to Mizugaki on his record.
PRELIMS
Yaotzin Meza vs. Sergio Pettis
Bobby Voelker vs. Lance Benoist
Danny Martinez vs. Scot Jorgensen
Jon Tuck vs. Jake Lindsey
Patrick Cummins vs. Roger Narvaez
Saturday is New Mexico on Fox Sports 1 with what should be a fun card...
Benson Henderson vs. Rustam Khabilov
A big lightweight fight because Bendo is fighting to stay at the top of the division and get the first crack at the Pettis/Gilbert winner in 2015...of course, he'll almost definitely need 2 wins to get that shot. Here, Henderson is the former champion who won a controversial split decision from Josh Thomson (I had Thomson winning) in January. Enter one of the dangerous Russians in Khabilov who is 17-1 overall and that one defeat was a split decision three years ago in the Ukraine. In America, he's 4-0 and has been impressive in each fight. Last fought in November and beat Jorge Masvidal. He's a training partner of undefeated 22-0 Khabib Nurmagomedov who is also among the top lightweight contenders.
A dangerous fight for Henderson because Rustam has no name and is a legit dangerous opponent. Lots of respect to Benson for taking the fight.
Diego Sanchez vs. Ross Pearson
Diego is only 32, but he's been around forever and this is his 32nd pro fight. He's on a two fight losing streak (the war with Gilbert Melendez and the loss to Myles Jury). His last win came in March 2013 against Gomi. Pearson has not lost a fight since 2012 and that was at featherweight. Since returning to 155, he has knocked out George Sotiropoulos and Ryan Couture. His fight with Melvin Guillard last October ended prematurely due to an illegal knee from Melvin. Two guys on opposite ends of their career, Pearson should win but who knows when Diego doesn't have an off night.
John Dodson vs. John Moraga
Dodson is one of the more entertaining fighters to watch because he's so fast. He's a top flyweight contender looking to earn a rematch with champion Demetrious Johnson (he lost a decision to him early last year). We last saw him in October knock out Darrell Montague...yes, a flyweight with KO power. Moraga also has a loss to Johnson, he was tapped out last summer. He bounced back in January to beat Dustin Ortiz by decision.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Jason High
This is a drop down to 155 for High who is 2-0 since last summer (those were at 170) and a big opportunity here. RDA was on a five-fight win streak before losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in April. Can he avoid consecutive losses in the UFC (he started his UFC run 0-2 but is 9-3 since).
Yves Edwards vs. Piotr Hallmann
Yves has had over 60 official pro fights and is always entertaining but the 37-year-old was brutally knocked out in his last fight (Yancy Medeiros later failed a drug test and the result was overturned). Yves has not won since 2012, so he needs a good performance here. Hallmann is a Polish prospect who lost to Al Iaquinta in October, ending his 10-fight win streak. He submitted Francisco Trinaldo in his UFC debut late last summer.
Bryan Caraway vs. Erik Perez
24-year-old Mexican star Perez is 4-1 in the UFC and that loss came against the only top contender he's fought, Takeya Mizkugaki (by split decision). Now, he's fighting Caraway (most famous for being Miesha Tate's longtime boyfriend), who is 3-1 in the UFC. He has not fought since April 2013 on short notice when he choked out Johnny Bedford. He also has a split decision loss to Mizugaki on his record.
PRELIMS
Yaotzin Meza vs. Sergio Pettis
Bobby Voelker vs. Lance Benoist
Danny Martinez vs. Scot Jorgensen
Jon Tuck vs. Jake Lindsey
Patrick Cummins vs. Roger Narvaez
