After a week off in this never-ending MMA season, the sport’s top three organizations return to action this weekend.
Starting tonight, there will be a show each of the next three nights; WSOF tonight, Bellator on Friday, and UFC on Saturday.
What better way to spend your Valentine’s Day weekend than hunkering down and watching some fights?
Let’s take a look at the 5 most intriguing fights scheduled for the weekend.
5. Zach Makovsky vs. Tim Elliot – UFC Fight Night 60
The flyweight division is shallow. So shallow, that if you look closely, with the right sunlight, you may even be able to see the bottom. John Lineker has been banished to bantamweight. Ian McCall is no longer a contender. John Dodson is injured. The winner of this fight is a de factor contender in the division. Makovsky has only lost to top contender Jussier Formiga while Elliot’s losses inside the octagon have all come to former #1 contenders. This fight may be buried deep on the undercard, but it is one look out for.
4. Melvin Manhoef vs. Alexander Shlemenko – Bellator 133
Two veteran strikers who move forward with vicious intent. While each man is looking to return to the win column, a decisive loss would also force major questions for both. Would Shlemenko finally make the oft-discussed move to welterweight? Would a knockout or stoppage loss finally force Manhoef to consider ending his combat sports career? Either way, like most fights including these two men, I wouldn’t blink after the bell rings.
3. Pat Curran vs. Daniel Weichel – Bellator 133
Not too long ago, Pat Curran was one of my favorite fighters to watch. His blend of excellent MMA boxing and an aggressive submission game made him must see TV and one of the faces of Bellator on Spike. More recently, Curran has lost 2 of 3, and could have very easily lost the third, albeit all title bouts. He looks to rebound here against veteran, and rising contender, Daniel Weichel. A win here saves a spot in line in Bellator’s deepest division.
2. Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Hill – WSOF 18
During his time in the WSOF, Moraes has established himself as one of the best bantamweights in the world and one of the faces of the organization. He takes on TUF vet Josh Hill, who is unbeaten in his professional MMA career. Can Hill unseat the king? Or will Moraes continue his path of destruction?
1. Benson Henderson vs. Brandon Thatch – UFC Fight Night 60
Henderson is making a quick turnaround and also moving up a weight class to take on a dangerous prospect in Thatch. It will be interesting to see how Henderson is able to handle the size and strength of the bigger men at welterweight. He also could choose to strike at range, much like he has in his recent bouts. Thatch is a pressure fighter who comes out looking to end the fighter early. His body attacks are some of the best in the business and he will likely look to follow the Anthony Pettis model to put Hendo away. This fight will certainly be telling in whether Hendo made a smart decision to move up in weight or if Thatch can hang with some of the best fighters in the world.