Great time to be a fight fan as the UFC is giving us a double dose of goodness featuring two title defenses in the lightweight and middleweight division!  Also on the card is the return of Renzo Gracie who will be making his UFC debut against former welterweight king Matt Hughes.  Let’s get it on!!

Anderson “The Spider” Silva (25-4) v. Demian Maia (12-1)

The champion needs no introduction, since entering the UFC he’s been taking names and making it look easy in the process.  Not a single fighter has ever put the The Spider in danger and it’s hard to see his winning streak come to an end, but the challenger Maia could very well be the man to untangle the web of Silva.  Many would say Maia doesn’t deserve to be here and while I may agree to a certain extent, Maia has proven himself to be among the elite of the middleweights.  Though Maia got his title shot on default due to a Chael Sonnen medical suspension, Maia has finished 80% of his opponents and was stopped once in his career by fellow middleweight contender Nate Marquardt.  In order for the title to change hands, Maia will need to rely on his jiu-jitsu to win the fight, standing with Silva will only spell an end to Maia’s chances.  Maia will of course need to set up his takedown attempts with striking but he shouldn’t get overconfident if he manages to land a couple on Silva.  If Maia gets Silva to the ground, which I think he will due to Silva’s poor wrestling, he will need to attack with submissions and mix it up with punches to avoid being stagnant and potentially restart on the feet.  Although it sounds easy, Maia will still need to eat some punches whenever he shoots in and that could very well be the ender.  Silva has a huge reach and size advantage and his game plan is pretty simple, avoid the takedowns and fire away.  Although I like Maia’s chances and I’ve always known he’d get a title shot one day, I still think he’s not ready for Silva.  The Spider will once again reign supreme.

Silva by KO Rd 3

BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (15-5-1) v. Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (11-1)

The co-main event and fourth title defense will no doubt include some fireworks.  Whenever you get BJ Penn in the cage, you know you’re in for treat and it only spices it up more when an exciting fighter like Franke Edgar is standing in front of the champ.  Does Edgar have “The Answer” to solve BJ’s ever improving game?  To put it bluntly, no.  The formula to defeating The Prodigy lies in his past fights with welterweight uber-god GSP.  Edgar may have the wrestling credentials to execute that game plan, which GSP certainly has, but Edgar is not as strong as GSP nor does he have the smothering top game GSP has.  Instead Edgar will need to utilize his crisp boxing skills and take a chance standing with Penn.  But as Penn’s previous title defenses has shown, Penn is a pretty damn good boxer and puncher as well.  Edgar doesn’t possess the size in height or reach to threaten BJ in any aspect of the game.  Expect BJ to put on another dominating performance and stop Edgar before the championship rounds.

Penn by Submission Rd 3

Matt Hughes (44-7) v. Renzo Gracie (13-6-1)

If there’s any story of “bad blood” behind a fight on the card, it has to be this one.  Former welterweight champ Matt Hughes will once again welcome a Gracie to the UFC in Renzo.  For many hardcore fans, Renzo is a legend from the PRIDE days and probably the most successful from the Gracie family in transitioning from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to MMA.  Only losing to the elite of the sport, Renzo has proven to be a dangerous opponent for anyone.  Though he last competed nearly 3 years ago, he was winning his fight with Frank Shamrock before things got dirty and Renzo was awarded the win via DQ.  Now making his debut, he’ll be looking to seek revenge not only for his family, who have had a bad showing in the UFC since its inception, but also for Hughes previous opponent Matt Serra, who received his black belt under Renzo.  It’s a tough pick for any fan and naturally I’d go with the more active fighter which is Hughes, but I’ve always been a fan of Renzo and I’d like to see him get a little revenge for his family and student.  I’d like a brawl to ensue because neither fighter really possess standing KO power but whoever imposes their will first will dictate the fight.  My heart says Renzo but my brain picks Hughes.

Hughes by Unanimous Decision

Terry Etim (14-3) v. Rafael Dos Anjos (13-4)

Two lightweights looking to make a statement in the already stacked lightweight division battle it out in the second fight of the main card.  Etim has been on a streak since his back-to-back losses to Rich Clementi and Gleison Tibau stopping 3 of his last 4 opponent via submission and TKO.  Dos Anjos also on a win streak since back-to-back losses looks to put on a better showing over his last two decision wins.  I’ve never really followed either fighter but Etim has caught my attention with his steady style of fighting mixing up strikes and takedowns leading to submissions.  Etim seems to be the more diverse fighter and looks to have most of the advantages coming in to the fight.  Etim will dominate on the feet and add win number 5 officially declaring himself contender to the lightweight belt.

Etim by Unanimous Decision

Kendall “Da Spyda” Grove (13-6-0) v. Mark “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” Munoz (7-1-0)

The main card will kick off with an Araneae(scientific name fore Spider) and end with one though this one is Da Spyda and not The Spider.  His dance mate is probably the longest nicknamed fighter in the UFC, Mark Munoz.  This could be Fight of the Night and what better way to kick it off with two aggressive fighters.  Both are coming off wins and are looking to add their name to potential Silva victims.  Since his stint in TUF, Grove started his UFC career with a bang finishing his first two opponents before hitting a roadblock with back-to-back losses.  Since then, his career has been a roller coaster ride most likely due to his overconfidence in the striking game.  Munoz’s style feeds well into Grove’s in that he’s a wrestler with mediocre striking.  Grove’s strength has always been his grappling so I expect Grove to keep it on the feet then switch it up by putting Munoz on his ass and grounding and pounding from there.  It won’t be easy though, as Munoz trains with Black House who just happen to have some guys named Silva, Nogueira and Machida.  Ya it doesn’t ring a bell either.  Munoz plan should be to strike first, though he has a reach disadvantage, and then shoot for takedowns where he can grind on Da Spyda.  On paper, Grove holds most of the advantages but Munoz is no slouch.  Expect fireworks in this one.

Munoz by Unanimous Decision