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The UFC’s most heated rivalry continues on Saturday Night as UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen battle again. A former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and new UFC Hall OF Famer member, Tito Ortiz, competes for the final time. Also, a middleweight fighter returns to the UFC and Damian Maia competes for the first time as a welterweight.
Kicking off the action is a bantamweight division fight as “The Pride Of El Salvador†Ivan Menjivar (24-8-0) does battle with Mike “The Hulk†Easton (12-1-0). Ivan Menjivar is currently undefeated in UFC competition, with victories over Charlie Valencia, Nick Pace and John Albert. Mike Easton also enters the fight undefeated in UFC competition, with victories over Byron Bloodworth and Jared Papazian. This is a potential top contender’s fight in the bantamweight division and it will be Ivan Menjivar claiming that spot.
Featherweights are up next as Chad “Money†Mendes (11-1-0) competes against Cody “AK Kid†McKenzie (13-2-0). Chad Mendes competes for the first time since losing his UFC Featherweight Title opportunity to Jose Aldo at UFC 142. Cody McKenzie recently ended a two fight losing streak when he defeated Marcus LeVesseur at UFC On Fuel TV III. These are two of the best guillotine choke users in the entire UFC, but it will be Chad Mendes picking up the victory.
A welterweight battle will be happening next as Dong Hyun “Stun Gun†Kim (15-1-0) is in action against Damian Maia (15-4-0). Dong Hyun Kim rebounded from his first career loss at UFC 132 when he defeated Sean Pierson at UFC 141. Damian Maia competes for the first time as a welterweight in the UFC, but he did win nine of thirteen in the UFC as a middleweight. This is a must win fight for Damian Maia, but he will fail as Dong Hyun Kim picks up his second straight.
Middleweights will be highlighted next as Cung Le (7-2-0) will stand across the octagon from Patrick “The Predator†Cote (17-7-0). Cung Le is currently winless in UFC competition, having lost his UFC debut to Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139. Patrick Cote returns to the UFC after being released in late 2010, but he did pick up victories over UFC veterans Crafton Wallace and Kalib Starnes in between appearances. This should be the best striking battle of the entire event and it will be Patrick Cote being victorious in his UFC return.
Up next is a light heavyweight division fight as Forrest Griffin (18-7-0) faces “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy†Tito Ortiz (16-10-0). Forrest Griffin has won two of his last three in UFC action, including a victory in his second fight against Tito Ortiz. Tito Ortiz will be retiring from active MMA competition after this fight, having fought all but one career fight in the UFC. This should be a very emotional fight for Tito Ortiz, but it will be a fight that he wins as he rides off into the sunset.
Headlining this card is a UFC Middleweight Title fight as champion Anderson “The Spider†Silva (31-4-0) defends against Chael Sonnen (27-11-0). Anderson Silva won the initial meeting between the two back at UFC 117 via a fifth round triangle choke. Chael Sonnen earned himself a second shot at the UFC Middleweight Title when he won two straight over Brian Stann and Michael Bisping. This fight will be a lot more violent than there first encounter at UFC 117 and this time it will be Chael Sonnen walking away champion.
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