Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
UFC Middleweight Division Fight
Ben “Berserk” Saunders (5-0-2) vs. Ryan Thomas (9-1-0)
Most UFC fans will recognize Ben Saunders as a cast member from the UFC Ultimate Fighter 6, which ended in December 2007. Ben Saunders only previous fight in the UFC took place at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale, where he defeated Daniel Barrera by decision. Prior to entering the UFC, Ben Saunders primarily competed in the Combat Fighting Championships and Absolute Fighting Championships promotions. Ben Saunders is a fighter who is comfortable with keeping the fight on the feet or on the ground, with four of five career victories coming by knockout or submission. Ryan Thomas will be making his UFC debut against Ben Saunders, but has previously fought in Courage Fighting Championships, Extreme Challenge and American Fighting Association. Ryan Thomas is a fighter known for finishing fights, with only two of ten fights going past the opening round. Prior to suffering his first career loss, Ryan Thomas was riding a five fight win streak and is now on a four fight win streak. Ryan Thomas is a fighter who is more comfortable putting the fight on the ground, with six of nine career victories coming by submission.
My Prediction: Ben Saunders
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Steve Bruno (11-3-0) vs. Chris Wilson (13-4-0)
Steve Bruno is a fighter who trains with American Top Team and fought the biggest fight of his career in the International Fight League 2006 Championship, losing to Bart Palaszewski. Steve Bruno has competed in a lot of international MMA competition in the Xtreme Pankration, Rumble In Chula Vista and Spirit MC promotions. Steve Bruno is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the feet and on the ground, with ten of eleven victories coming by submission or knockout. Chris Wilson made his UFC debut at UFC 82, losing to UFC Welterweight Title top contender Jon Fitch by decision. Before coming to the UFC, Chris Wilson fought in King Of The Cage, International Fighting Championships and Sport Fight. Chris Wilson has also fought an impressive list of fighters including Nick Thompson, Jay Hieron, Rory Markham, Derrick Noble and Jon Fitch. Like his opponent Steve Bruno, Chris Wilson is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight standing up or on the ground, with eleven of thirteen victories coming by knockout or submission..
My Prediction: Chris Wilson
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Jon Jones (5-0-0) vs. Andre Gusmao (5-0-0)
Jon Jones is an undefeated fighter who has already competed in such promotions as Battle Cage Xtreme, World Championship Fighting, Ice Fighter and Full Force Productions. In an interesting note, Jon Jones first three fights of his professional career all took place within a two week span. Jon Jones is a fighter who is known for finishing fights, with four of five fights ending in the opening round. Jon Jones is taking this fight after competing less than a month ago in July 2008, which was the only fight of his career to go past the first round. Jon Jones will be looking to keep the fight on his feet because four of his five victories have come by knockout. Andre Gusmao has fought all but one of his professional fights in the International Fight League, the other fight was in the Sport Fight promotion. It has been nearly a year since Andre Gusmao last competed, which was a September 2007 victory over Mike Ciesnolevicz. Like his opponent Jon Jones, Andre Gusmao will want to keep the fight on the feet with three of five victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Andre Gusmao
UFC Heavyweight Division Fight
Dan Evensen (10-2-0) vs. Cheick Kongo (11-4-1)
Dan Evensen is a heavyweight fighter who has been flying under the MMA radar for a while now, having already fought in Gladiator Challenge, Bodog Fight and International Fighting Organization. Dan Evensen has fought former UFC fighter Christian Wellisch, whom he lost to two years ago in April 2006. In the early days of his career, Dan Evensen completed in the Gladiator Challenge heavyweight tournament, defeating Julius Askew and Mike Wolmack.. Dan Evensen will be looking to keep the fight on his feet, with six of ten victories coming by way of knockout. Cheick Kongo was one fight away from a UFC Heavyweight Title fight until a loss to Heath Herring at UFC 82 sidelined those plans. Cheick Kongo is an experienced fighter who has fought Gilbert Yvel, Christian Welisch, Mirko Cro Cop, Carmelo Marrera, Assuerio Silva and Heath Herring. Cheick Kongo will want to be like his opponent and keep the fight standing, with seven of eleven career victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Cheick Kongo
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Luke Cummo (6-5-0) vs. Tamdan “The Barn Cat” McCrory (8-1-0)
Luke Cummo could be entering the octagon at UFC 87 for the most important fight in his UFC career, because a loss could see him booted out of the company. Besides competing in the UFC, the only other promotion Luke Cummo has competed in is the Ring Of Combat promotion. In his eleven fight career, Luke Cummo has fought Josh Koscheck, Joe Stevenson, Jonathan Goulet and Luigi Fioravanti. Luke Cummo will be looking to keep the fight on the feet to achieve victory, with four of six victories coming by knockout. Tamdan McCrory is a rising fighter in the middleweight division, having recently fought against UFC veterans Pete Spratt and Akihiro Gono. Until the loss to Akihiro Gono at UFC 78, Tamdan McCrory was on a eight fight undefeated streak that lasted over a year. At two different points in the early part of his career, Tamdan McCrory was won four fights in separate two week spans. Tamdan McCrory will be looking to keep the fight on his feet, with six of eight career victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Tamdan McCrory
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
