IS THIS CHUCK LIDDELL’S LAST STAND?
Las Vegas, NV– Just last month the MMA conglomerate that is the UFC visited the vast northern neighbor of the USA for Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua II in Montreal, Quebec. Now for Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin, UFC 115 will emanate the western city of Vancouver, British Columbia.
TITO ORTIZ HAS NECK SURGERY
Originally this card was to feature a third fight between The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 coaches Tito Ortiz (15-7-1, 8 KOs, 2 SUBs) and Chuck Liddell (21-7, 13 KOs, 1 SUB); this until Ortiz was forced out due to him opting for neck surgery and thus being replaced-both on the show and on the main card by former middleweight (185) champ Rich Franklin (25-5, 13 KOs, 9 SUBs). Only one week of filming remained when Ortiz left the show and Franklin stepped in, but this may make for a more competitive fight than what was originally slated as it seems even a shot Liddell would still have Ortiz’s number.
BOTH GUYS IN MAIN HAVE LOTS OF UFC TENURE
The card might as well be titled “Who has what left?” as that is probably what we will find out when Franklin and Liddell meet Saturday night. Both men have had a rough go if it as of late with Liddell having lost four of his last five and Franklin going 3-3 in his last six. In addition, both of them coming off knockout losses. I would certainly favor Franklin in this clash as he is five years younger at 35 and hasn’t had as dramatic of a decline as Liddell has. I expect Chuck to be as game as ever, but also expect him to be waking up and asking the Dr. what happened after he becomes the victim of yet another knockout loss-Franklin by KO.
DEVALUED “CRO COP” GETS TV SHOT
UFC 115 will also offer up a solid under card including a probable stand up war as Pat Barry (5-1, 5 KOs) takes on Pride legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (27-6-2, 20 KOs, 3 SUBs). Both of these men are top notch kick boxers with substantial K-1 careers. Filipovic has yet to achieve the level of success in the UFC as he did in his Pride Fighting Championship days, but he will look to get back in the heavyweight picture with a win over Barry. Aside from getting caught in a quick guillotine at the hands of Tim Hague (10-4, 5 KOs, 3 SUBs) at UFC 98, Barry has been impressive in his UFC career. Although Filipovic has had a rough run in the UFC thus far, he is finally injury free and seems very focused. Look for Cro Cop to get back to his winning ways with an impressive KO win over a game Barry in what will likely be fight of the night.
MMA WELTERWEIGHTS ARE 170 LBS!
In the welterweight (170) division, two highly skilled contenders will look to move closer to a title shot as once beaten Paulo Thiago (13-1, 2 KOs, 8 SUBs) takes on the always tough Martin Kampmann (16-3, 7 KOs, 6 SUBs). This bout will likely go to the fighter who can dictate where the fight takes place. Kampmann would probably be well served to keep it on his feet, but with six submissions to his credit is no slough on the ground, while Thiago will likely want to get it to the mat where he can work his submissions, likely looking to his chokes. However, Thiago has some pop in his hands as he showed by knocking out Josh Koscheck (15-4, 4 KOs, 5 SUBs), but no doubt is more comfortable on the ground. Kampmann has never been submitted, Thiago has never been stopped; look for Thiago to win a decision in this one.
“BIG BEN” LOOKING TO REGROUP
Heavyweight Ben Rothwell (30-7, 17 KOs, 11 SUBs) will look to gain some respect in the UFC after being decimated by Cain Velasquez (8-0, 7 KOs) in his UFC debut. It will be a tough task as he will be up against the Dutch bad boy Gilbert Yvel (36-14-1, 31 KOs, 5 SUBs). It seems no matter what the outcome; any fight with Yvel in it is usually an entertaining one. The Dutchman is no stranger to dirty tactics, weather it be low blows, eye gouges or even knocking an overzealous referee clean out-Yvel is always entertaining in one way or another. That being said, Rothwell is a massive opponent looking to prove himself, but I think the smaller Yvel will be too much skill for the big man. Yvel by TKO as long as he doesn’t get disqualified first!
PRELIMS ARE FREE ON SPIKE TV FOLKS!
Don’t forget to tune into Spike TV to catch the prelims at 8 PM ET before the pay per view that starts at 10 PM ET.
Matthew “All Meat” Grizzle