(Props: The Sun)
The UFC is reportedly making its first visit to Virginia for UFC Fight Night 20 (January 11th; Fairfax), and the lineup is starting to come together. Here’s what we’re hearing:
— Josh Koscheck (13-4), fresh off his first-round TKO over Frank Trigg at UFC 103, will be taking on Mike Pierce (9-1), who most recently scored a big upset over Brock Larson in his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 19. Koscheck is under the impression that he’ll be getting Georges St. Pierre soon, though he’s probably still in line after his teammate Mike Swick.
— TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero (12-0) and Nik Lentz (17-3-1) have agreed to meet each other in a lightweight bout. Escudero’s last win was a first-round TKO over Cole Miller at UFC 103, while Lentz defeated Rafaello Oliveira by decision at the same event. Not exactly a step up the ladder for Escudero, but the UFC has a way of building up their TUF winners slowly.
— Chris Leben (18-6), who has dropped back-to-back fights to Michael Bisping and Jake Rosholt (with a steroid suspension sandwiched between them), could be facing a win-or-get-lost match against Jay Silva (5-2), who’s also under the gun after losing his UFC debut to CB Dollaway at UFC Fight Night 19.
— Tom "Just Bleed" Lawlor (6-1) is expected to be on the card against hot middleweight prospect Aaron Simpson, who has ended all his fights by TKO, including his UFC appearances against Tim McKenzie and Ed Herman. Lawlor most recently choked out CB Dollaway in 55 seconds at UFC 100.
— UFC Fight Night 20 is also rumored to feature a scrap between 35-year-old King of the Cage welterweight champ Mike Guymon (11-2) and 20-year-old Canadian prospect Rory MacDonald (9-0).
In other booking news…
— Following his loss to Mike Pierce, Brock Larson (26-3) will attempt to rebound at UFC 106 (November 21st, Las Vegas) against HIT Squad product Brian Foster (12-4), who was submitted by Rick Story in his Octagon debut at UFC 103.
— After making a statement in his first UFC fight by TKO’ing Amir Sadollah (6-0) in 29 seconds, Johny Hendricks will take on another undefeated welterweight, Ricardo Funch, at UFC 107 (December 12th, Memphis).
— UFC 108 (January 2nd, Las Vegas) may feature the return of Paul Daley, who’s fresh off his first-round storming of Martin Kampmann at UFC 103; Daley will reportedly face Carlos Condit, who scored his first UFC win with his split-decision over Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 19. The New year’s event could also feature a lightweight battle between Tyson Griffin and Jim Miller.
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The only two WW's remotely deserving a (relatively immediate) title shot are Alves or Fitch. They're getting hosed. Jake Shields won't vacate the WEC title and jump ship to the UFC, he'll suffer the same fate as Condit did. Not trying to belittle Condit, he's a good fighter, but just not a top-tier WW in the UFC, and his chances of beating GSP are similar to attempting to nail Jell-O to a wall.
I used to fight competively (not MMA or boxing), and can't help but feel that I can relate to most mixed martial artists. I'd rather lose to a great fighter than beat up on cans and bully less superior competitors. At least there's pride in losing a good fight. I'd rather see GSP at middleweight and lose than keep padding his record in welterweight. The same can be said for Anderson at LHW, though I think he's perfectly capable of running that division as well.