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There are four big MMA events this weekend from a variety of top MMA promotions, but it all ends with UFC On Fuel TV IX this Saturday. The company had a huge issue when Alexander Gustafsson was removed from the main event, but they are still putting their best foot forward. Also, the son of a UFC Hall Of Fame member makes his UFC debut and two top bantamweights are in action.
Kicking off the action is a featherweight division fight as Akira Corassani (10-3-0-1NC) competes against Robbie “Problems†Peralta (16-3-0-1NC). Corassani is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Andy Ogle at UFC On Fuel TV V. Peralta is also undefeated in UFC competition, with his victories coming over Mike Lullo and Jason Young. These are two featherweights will bright futures in the UFC, but it will be Peralta remaining undefeated in UFC competition.
Another featherweight division fight is up next as Diego “Ceara†Brandao (16-8-0) is in action against Pablo “The Scarecrow†Garza (12-3-0). Brandao has won two of three in UFC competition, last defeating Joey Gambino via unanimous decision at UFC 153. Garza recently ended a two fight losing streak at UFC 154 when he defeated Mark Hominick in a fight that turned out to be Hominick’s final UFC bout. Brandao is a scary fighter at featherweight, but Garza will use his range to pull out the upset victory over the TUF Champion.
Bantamweights will be stepping into the octagon next as Mike “The Hulk†Easton (13-2-0) does battle with Brad “One Punch†Pickett (22-7-0). Easton has won three of four under the UFC banner, most notably defeating Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148. Pickett has split his four UFC appearances thus far, with his last fight being a defeat to Eddie Wineland at UFC 155. The winner of this fight may be in line for a bantamweight title shot in the future and it will be Easton getting that title shot.
A pair of heavyweights will be battling next as Philip De Fries (9-2-0-1NC) takes on Matt “Meathead†Mitrione (5-2-0). De Fries has rotated wins and losses throughout his UFC career, with his last fight being a defeat to Todd Duffee at UFC 155. Mitrione will enter the fight riding a two fight losing streak and he has not won a fight in almost two years. This is a must win fight for both fighters if they are to remain on the UFC roster, but it will be Mitrione getting the victory.
Up next is a lightweight division fight as Ryan Couture (6-1-0) battles Ross “The Real Deal†Pearson (14-6-0). Couture will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is the son of former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture. Pearson has rotated wins and losses in his last seven UFC bouts, plus he is coming off of a run as a coach on the UFC Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. Pearson is far too skilled to drop this fight to Couture, who faced a lot of inferior competition during his Strikeforce run.
Headlining this card is a light heavyweight division encounter as Ilir “The Sledgehammer†Latifi (7-2-0-1NC) faces Gegard “The Dream Catcher†Mousasi (33-3-2). Latifi took this fight on less than a week’s notice after Alexander Gustafsson pulled out of the fight due to a cut. Mousasi is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and enters the fight riding a five fight winning streak. Barring one of the biggest upsets in MMA history taking place, Mousasi should easily win in his UFC debut.
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