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Fabio Maldonado (17-3-0) vs. James “The Hammer†McSweeney (4-5-0)
Fabio Maldonado will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he has been competing in the Bitetti Combat promotion. While in Bitetti Combat, Fabio Maldonado defeated Vitor Miranda, Fernando Tressino and Jessie Gibbs. Fabio Maldonado is currently undefeated in 2010, winning all four of his fights thus far, all within two rounds. Fabio Maldonado will be entering the fight riding a ten fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly three years. Fabio Maldonado will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with eleven victories coming by knockout. James McSweeney has had an interesting run in the UFC, defeating Darrill Schoonover and suffering a defeat to Travis Browne. James McSweeney is only one of a very short list of fighters who have fought in the UFC with a losing record. James McSweeney also competed on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 10, which was eventually won by Roy Nelson. Prior to entering the UFC in late 2009, James McSweeney had fought UFC veterans Mostapha Al-Turk and Neil Grove in non-UFC encounters. James McSweeney will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with all of his victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Fabio Maldonado
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Spencer “The King†Fisher (23-6-0) vs. Kurt “The War†Warburton (6-1-0)
Spencer Fisher has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Thiago Alves, Aaron Riley, Matt Wiman, Dan Lauzon, Sam Stout, Jeremy Stephens, Shannon Gugerty and Caol Uno, while suffering defeats to Sam Stout, Hermes Franca, Frankie Edgar, Joe Stevenson and Dennis Siver. Spencer Fisher started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a nine fight undefeated streak that had lasted well over a year. It has been over a year since Spencer Fisher lasted won an MMA fight, which was over Caol Uno at UFC 99. Spencer Fisher will be looking to end a two fight losing streak, which has lasted nearly a full year and a half. Spencer Fisher will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with eleven victories coming by knockout. Kurt Warburton will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Goshin Ryu promotion. While in Goshin Ryu, Kurt Warburton defeated Ian Margerison, Ross Pearson and Jamie Mckenzie, while suffering a lone defeat to Will Burke. It has been nearly a year since Kurt Warburton last had an MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor. Kurt Warburton will be entering the fight riding a two fight winning streak, which has lasted well over a year. Kurt Warburton will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with four victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Spencer Fisher
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Mark “Boots†Holst (8-2-0) vs. Paul “Sassangle†Sass (10-0-0)
Mark Holst is currently winless in UFC competition, having suffered a defeat to John Gunderson at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale. Mark Holst also competed in the Freedom Fight promotion, defeating the duo of Justin Doyon and Kris Donaldson. Mark Holst started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a five fight undefeated streak that had lasted over three years. Mark Holst also holds an MMA victory over UFC veteran Corey Hill, which occurred at XKL - Revolution in 2010. Mark Holst is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with all of his victories coming by knockout and submission. Paul Sass will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a longtime veteran of the Cage Gladiators promotion. While in Cage Gladiators, Paul Sass defeated David Johnson, Steve Warris, Will Burke, Martin Stapleton, Andrew Fisher, Jason Ball and Harvey Harra. Of his ten professional MMA fights, only one has gone to a decision for Paul Sass, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Paul Sass will be entering the fight riding a ten fight undefeated streak, which has lasted over three years. Paul Sass will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Paul Sass
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Steve “The Robot†Cantwell (7-3-0) vs. Stanislav Nedkov (11-0-0)
Steve Cantwell has had an unsuccessful run in the UFC, defeating Razak Al-Hassan, while suffering defeats to Brian Stann and Luis Cane. Steve Cantwell was also the final WEC Light Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Brian Stann at WEC 35 to win the title. Also while in the WEC, Steve Cantwell defeated the aforementioned Brian Stann, Justin McElfresh and Tim McKenzie, while suffering a lone defeat to Brian Stann. It has been nearly a year since Steve Cantwell last competed in an MMA fight, so cage rust can play a factor in the fight. Steve Cantwell will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with four victories coming by way of submission. Stanislav Nedkov will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of both the Shooto and Sengoku promotions. While in Shooto, Stanislav Nedkov defeated the trio of Kamen Georgiev, Yanko Kolev and Goce Candovski. Then in Sengoku, Stanislav Nedkov scored to victories in the promotion over Travis Wiuff and Kevin Randleman. Stanislav Nedkov will be entering the fight riding an eleven fight undefeated streak, which has lasted over four years. Stanislav Nedkov will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with five victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Stanislav Nedkov
UFC Heavyweight Division Fight
Rob Broughton (14-5-1) vs. Vinicius “Spartan†Kappke De Quiroz (5-1-0)
Rob Broughton will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he most recently competed in the ZT Fight Night promotion. While in ZT Fight Night, Rob Broughton defeated the trio of Neil Wain, James Thompson and Oli Thomson. Rob Broughton also holds a victory over former professional boxer Eric “Butterbean†Esch, which happened at a Cage Rage event. Rob Broughton will be entering the fight riding a four fight winning streak, which has lasted over a year. Rob Broughton will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with six victories coming by knockout. Vinicius Kappke De Quiroz will also be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Samurai FC promotion. While in the Samurai FC promotion, Vinicius Kappke De Quiroz defeated Nelson Martins and Danilo Rodaki. Of his six professional MMA fights, only one has gone to a decision for Vinicius Kappke De Quiroz, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Vinicius Kappke De Quiroz will be entering the fight riding a four fight winning streak, which has lasted over a full year. Vinicius Kappke De Quiroz will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with all of his victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Rob Broughton
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Cyrille “Snake†Diabate (16-6-1) vs. Alexander “The Mauler†Gustafsson (9-1-0)
Cyrille Diabate is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Luis Cane at UFC 114 in May 2010. Cyrille Diabate also competed in the Real Rhythm promotion, holding victories over Mu Jin Na, Takahiro Oba and Yasuhito Namekawa. Cyrille Diabate will be entering the fight riding a six fight winning streak, which has lasted over three years. Cyrille Diabate also competed once in PRIDE, suffering a defeat to current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio Rua. Cyrille Diabate will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with eight victories coming by knockout. Alexander Gustafsson has had an interesting run in the UFC, defeating Jared Hamman, while suffering a defeat to Phil Davis. Alexander Gustafsson also competed in the Zone FC promotion, defeating the duo of Farbod Fadami and Matteo Minonzio. Of his ten professional MMA fights, only one has gone to a decision for Alexander Gustafsson, which speaks to his finishing abilities. Alexander Gustafsson started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a nine fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. Alexander Gustafsson will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with seven victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Cyrille Diabate
You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
