Belfort vs. Bisping: One of January’s best bouts
Off-season? What off-season? Here are the top five MMA fights this month
There are a lot of things I love about mixed martial arts. Near the top of the list: there is no offseason.
There is never a point where I have to wait out a three-, four-, fivemonth stretch without the sport I love, and quite frankly, am completely obsessed with following.
No sooner is 2012 finished than 2013 is ready to begin in full force, as January offers a handful of events and a number of entertaining fights for our viewing enjoyment.
As per usual, there are too many fights to list here, so be sure to check out Keyboard Kimura (theprovince.com/mmablog) for the complete list.
Here are my picks — in chronological order — of January’s top five fights.
Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine — Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine
(Jan. 12)
While there are more compelling and competitive matchups on the calendar, this one makes my list because I think Marquardt — who should get by Saffiedine — will be an interesting and dangerous addition to the UFC welterweight division later this year.
After 16 months without a fight, Marquardt claimed the Strikeforce welterweight title last July by stopping previously unbeaten Tyron Woodley with a combination of strikes that looked straight out of Street Fighter.
Marquardt was a title challenger at middleweight during his first UFC run, and should be an instant contender in the welter weight ranks once he returns.
Michael Chandler vs. Rick Hawn
— Bellator 85 (Jan. 17)
2013 is a big year for Bellator as they move to Thursday nights on SpikeTV. Headlining their first show on the former home of the UFC is this lightweight title fight.
Chandler won the title from Eddie Alvarez in a wildly entertaining fight in November 2011, but only competed once in 2012, stopping overmatched Japanese veteran Akihiro Gono in 56 seconds back in May.
Hawn, a former Olympic judoka and welterweight tournament finalist, looked fierce fighting at 155 pounds, earning consecutive knockout wins before defeating Brett Weedman by decision to earn his title opportunity.
This is an interesting stylistic matchup because Hawn’s judo base could stifle Chandler’s wrestling approach, producing a standup battle for the belt. Regardless, it’s a great way for Bellator to kick off its arrival on Spike TV.
Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping
— UFC on FX 7 (Jan. 19)
This one is pretty straightforward in its awesomeness.
A win for Bisping will set up a middleweight title fight between “The Count” and long-reigning champion Anderson Silva. In order to make that dream a reality, however, the UFC’s biggest British star has to first defeat Belfort, the heavy-hitting veteran who will have the full support of the crowd in Sao Paulo, Brazil behind him.
With the fate of the middleweight title chase resting in the balance, this is one fight you don’t want to miss.
Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone — UFC on FOX 6
(Jan. 26)
Not only does this have lightweight title implications, it’s also a good old-fashioned grudge match between two former WEC competitors who just don’t get along.
The rough-and-tumble Cerrone has been calling out Pettis for a while, and “Showtime” is finally healthy and happy to oblige. After losing to Nathan Diaz to end 2011, Cerrone bounced back with a pair of wins in 2012, while Pettis knocked out Joe Lauzon back in February before undergoing shoulder surgery.
This should turn into a straight-up shootout with both men looking to land early and often on the feet. Pettis is the more creative, while Cerrone is just plain nasty and mean. I can’t wait.
Demetrious Johnson vs. John
Dodson — UFC on FOX 6
Johnson makes the first defence of his UFC flyweight title against the only man who might be able to match him in the speed department: John Dodson, the bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 14.
It’s a tired cliché in the fight business, but this is a “don’t blink” bout if ever there was one. Both men like to dart around the cage, getting in to land their strikes quickly before getting out of the way as their opponent returns fire.
With this fight being on Fox, it’s a great chance to check out a tremendous card and see a championship without the pay-per-view price tag, so circle the date on your calendar and enjoy the fights.