- Joined
- May 16, 2008
- Messages
- 12,986
- Reaction score
- 504
Top ten, in order. Feel free to give reasons, or don't.
1. Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic
Finally a fresh HW title fight. I'm sick of rematches and this fight is as good as it gets at heavyweight. Both guys are about as well rounded as you can get in MMA. Werdum has been looking more dominant than ever but at 38 you have to question how long he'll be able to stay at the top, especially with hungry sharks like Miocic chomping at his heels.
2. Anthony Pettis vs. Edson Barboza
Not too much needs to be said about this one. A true MMA fan's dream match. Two of the best kickers currently active. Former champion vs long time crowd pleaser. I'm expectings some wild ninja shit here.
3. Thomas Almeida vs. Cody Garbrandt
Two of the most highly touted prospects coming up right now. Both are on hot streaks with brutal KO finishes. Tominhas looks like the complete package but his striking defense isn't impenetrable and No Love has really good technique and power in his hands. Really tough to pick a winner here, I could see either guy getting a finish.
4. Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski
Legendary heavyweight strikers. I've wanted this fight since PRIDE. Both guys love to shit all over people's idea of the word 'prime,' I find that really satisfying as a fan of the old guard. Title implications for the winner (especially if Reem wins.)
5. Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux
I know we lost the real fight here with DC getting injured but I for one am just happy to see Jones back in the cage. He is the most dominant fighter the sport has ever seen IMO and it's a treat just to see him compete against anyone. And of course OSP is big, young and hungry with loads of power so anything could happen (although I expect a first or second round finish from Bones. Probably RNC or GnP elbows.)
6. Jorge Masvidal vs. Lorenz Larkin
This one's more for the "hardcore" fans. Both guys are savvy veterans and while they are both coming off a loss, they also have recent HL finishes. Masvidal has some of the best boxing in MMA and Larkin is a great kickboxer himself. Sucks that one has to lose two in a row here, I really enjoy both fighters.
7. Gunnar Nelson vs. Albert Tumenov
This one should determine the next fighter to enter the contender ranks at WW. Tumenov has been on a roll but I've been wanting to see his ground game tested and this one of the better matchups to do so, Nelson is an elite grappler (I think second only to Maia in his division.)
8. Dustin Poirier vs. Bobby Green
Fireworks incoming. Bobby has had a couple of lackluster showings and was out with injuries but I think he'll want to make a statement in his first fight back. Poirier is on a tear since moving to LW, even derailing the Duffy train. Slick boxing on both sides, Poirier hits harder but Bobby has much better defense. Pick em fight IMO.
9. Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown
Another important WW contender fight. Maia has looked like a champ in the making with his wrestling/BJJ lately, if he can get by the grittiest fighter in the division then I think he deserves a title eliminator. Brown is a tall order though, he could easily bust Maia up with his outstanding muay thai. He just needs to avoid that guard/shot like the plague. Hopefully he doesn't get too tentative on the feet because of this (Brown? Tentative? wtf am I saying lol.) Maybe winner of this fight vs. Rory/Wonderboy for next WW title shot.
10. Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Caraway
Sterling gets his shot to climb further up the ranks and knock off a savvy veteran, Caraway has a chance to make a statement about where he stands in the division after being largely inactive as of late. Both guys are elite grapplers, I can't wait to see these scrambles. Should be a fun fight.
What are yours?
1. Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic
Finally a fresh HW title fight. I'm sick of rematches and this fight is as good as it gets at heavyweight. Both guys are about as well rounded as you can get in MMA. Werdum has been looking more dominant than ever but at 38 you have to question how long he'll be able to stay at the top, especially with hungry sharks like Miocic chomping at his heels.
2. Anthony Pettis vs. Edson Barboza
Not too much needs to be said about this one. A true MMA fan's dream match. Two of the best kickers currently active. Former champion vs long time crowd pleaser. I'm expectings some wild ninja shit here.
3. Thomas Almeida vs. Cody Garbrandt
Two of the most highly touted prospects coming up right now. Both are on hot streaks with brutal KO finishes. Tominhas looks like the complete package but his striking defense isn't impenetrable and No Love has really good technique and power in his hands. Really tough to pick a winner here, I could see either guy getting a finish.
4. Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski
Legendary heavyweight strikers. I've wanted this fight since PRIDE. Both guys love to shit all over people's idea of the word 'prime,' I find that really satisfying as a fan of the old guard. Title implications for the winner (especially if Reem wins.)
5. Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux
I know we lost the real fight here with DC getting injured but I for one am just happy to see Jones back in the cage. He is the most dominant fighter the sport has ever seen IMO and it's a treat just to see him compete against anyone. And of course OSP is big, young and hungry with loads of power so anything could happen (although I expect a first or second round finish from Bones. Probably RNC or GnP elbows.)
6. Jorge Masvidal vs. Lorenz Larkin
This one's more for the "hardcore" fans. Both guys are savvy veterans and while they are both coming off a loss, they also have recent HL finishes. Masvidal has some of the best boxing in MMA and Larkin is a great kickboxer himself. Sucks that one has to lose two in a row here, I really enjoy both fighters.
7. Gunnar Nelson vs. Albert Tumenov
This one should determine the next fighter to enter the contender ranks at WW. Tumenov has been on a roll but I've been wanting to see his ground game tested and this one of the better matchups to do so, Nelson is an elite grappler (I think second only to Maia in his division.)
8. Dustin Poirier vs. Bobby Green
Fireworks incoming. Bobby has had a couple of lackluster showings and was out with injuries but I think he'll want to make a statement in his first fight back. Poirier is on a tear since moving to LW, even derailing the Duffy train. Slick boxing on both sides, Poirier hits harder but Bobby has much better defense. Pick em fight IMO.
9. Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown
Another important WW contender fight. Maia has looked like a champ in the making with his wrestling/BJJ lately, if he can get by the grittiest fighter in the division then I think he deserves a title eliminator. Brown is a tall order though, he could easily bust Maia up with his outstanding muay thai. He just needs to avoid that guard/shot like the plague. Hopefully he doesn't get too tentative on the feet because of this (Brown? Tentative? wtf am I saying lol.) Maybe winner of this fight vs. Rory/Wonderboy for next WW title shot.
10. Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Caraway
Sterling gets his shot to climb further up the ranks and knock off a savvy veteran, Caraway has a chance to make a statement about where he stands in the division after being largely inactive as of late. Both guys are elite grapplers, I can't wait to see these scrambles. Should be a fun fight.
What are yours?
