UFC Welterweight Championship

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#1] [#3DD] Georges St. Pierre (21 – 2 – 0) vs. [#2] [#9DD] Jake Shields  (26 – 4 – 1)

Two of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport in Georges St. Pierre and Jake Shields will clash this Saturday night.  St. Pierre comes into the fight on an 8 fight win streak, 5 by decision.  St. Pierre has been criticized in the past for not being a finisher, yet he remains a thoroughly dominant fighter.  His last loss came by way of a TKO (punches) at the hands of [#24] Matt Serra at UFC 69 back in April 2007.  St. Pierre lost the title that night in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.  1 year and 3 victories later, St. Pierre rectified his 2nd career loss by winning the welterweight title back from Matt Serra via TKO (knees to the body) at UFC 83 in April 2008.  He went on to win 5 victories over top 10 competition, effectively cleaning out the division.  Enter Jake Shields.  The former Strikeforce middleweight champion comes into this fight riding an amazing 15 fight win streak (8 by stoppage).  Shields, who has also been criticized for having a rather prosaic and underwhelming fighting style himself, did not impress very much in his UFC debut.  After winning a contentious split decision over [#11] Martin Kampmann back at UFC 121 in October 2010, Shields was immediately thrust into the title picture because of his past accomplishments outside of the promotion.  Both men are adept on the ground, with Shields possibly having a slight submission grappling advantage on paper.  However, St. Pierre clearly has the wrestling as well as the boxing/stand up advantage.  St. Pierre will most likely be able to dictate where this fight goes.  Most expect St. Pierre to continue his march, but Shields does have a grapplers chance.  A victory for Shields would propel him to the pinnacle of the welterweight division, as well as the division dominance rankings.

UFC Featherweight Championship

Featherweight (145 lbs)
[#1] [#4DD] Jose Aldo  (18 – 1 – 0) vs. [#14] Mark Hominick (20 – 8 – 0)

Reigning featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will make his first UFC featherweight title defense as well as his UFC debut this Saturday against Mark Hominick.  Aldo, who is on an 11 fight win streak (7 by T/KO), most recently knocked out [#10] Manny Gamburyan in September 2010 at WEC 51.  Aldo won the WEC featherweight title from [#25] Mike Brown at WEC 44 back in November of 2009.  He made two successful title defenses against [#3BW] Urijah Faber and Manny Gamburyan before the WEC merged with the UFC in January of 2011.  Aldo is seen as one of the most violent, dynamic fighters today.  Hominick is on a 5 fight winning streak, 4 by stoppage.  He most recently earned a title shot by TKOing [#61] George Roop in his 3rd promotional appearance (1st appearance at featherweight) at “UFC Fight for the Troops 2” in January 2011.  Hominick is a very game opponent who has been on a hot streak lately.  He has the ability to hurt his opponents standing or on the ground.  The problem for Hominick is that Jose Aldo most likely does everything he does better.   Hominick is a savvy veteran who will have to call on all his past experiences in order to stand a chance against the pound for pound ranked Aldo.

Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
[#5] Lyoto Machida (16 – 2 – 0) vs. [#8] Randy Couture (19 – 10 – 0)

This bout will pit two former light heavyweight champions against one another in what will be Randy Couture’s retirement fight.  47 year old Couture, who started fighting at the relatively advanced age of 33 back in May of 1997, has staved off the ravages of age longer than most in this sport.  Couture has been one of the biggest names in UFC for the past 14 years.  Although his record is not stellar, his impact on MMA cannot be ignored.  His utilization of “dirty boxing” in the clinch has always been one of his calling cards, and is used by many other fighters today.  Couture is riding a 3 fight win streak, most recently defeating outmatched pro boxer [*] James Toney via 1st round arm triangle choke at UFC 118 in August of 2010.  Lyoto Machida was in a very different place 1 year ago.  Preceding losing the light heavyweight title via knock out at the hands of [#3] Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in May of 2010 at UFC 123, Machida was on an 8 fight win streak inside the UFC (16 fight win streak overall).  Fast forward one year, Machida has lost two in a row (most recently to [#4] Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 123 in November 2010) and is looking to make a statement in this fight.  Machida, no longer holding onto the idea of remaining undefeated, claims to be in a different mental state coming into this fight.  Machida will need to use his long range strikes and quick foot movement on the outside to avoid Couture.  Couture will be looking to bully Machida against the fence and pepper him with dirty boxing inside the clinch-possibly setting up takedowns.  However, Couture will have to be wary of Machida’s adept (black belt level) ground game.  Both men will have to stick to their strategies to pull out a victory.  Couture’s impact on the sport will not be forgotten regardless of the outcome.

Lightweight (155 lbs)
[#26] Ben Henderson  (12 – 2 – 0) vs. [#41] Mark Bocek  (9 – 3 – 0)

Former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson was on the receiving end in one of the greatest MMA highlights ever when [#15] Anthony Pettis landed a jumping-off the cage-spinning kick (dubbed “the Showtime kick)” on him at the final WEC event in December 2010.   This kick secured the unanimous decision victory for Pettis over Henderson.  Henderson will enter the UFC following the 10 fight win streak breaking loss to Pettis.  Henderson had finished 8 out of 10 opponents in this streak, 6 by guillotine or rear-naked choke.  Mark Bocek has fought the majority of his MMA career inside the UFC octagon.  Only 4 of his 12 MMA bouts have been fought outside the UFC.  Bocek is 4-1 in his last 5 (winning all by submission), most recently submitting jiu jitsu ace [#124] Dustin Hazelett with a triangle choke at UFC 124 in December 2010.  The loss resulted in Hazelett being handed his walking papers from the promotion.  Bocek, who has won 7 of his 9 victories with choke based submissions, could make a big statement with a win on the floor over Henderson.  This will be a difficult prospect for the Toronto native, as Henderson is a superb grappler with an outstanding scramble game.  The winner of this bout could move into the lower tier of the title conversation.

Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
[#29] Vladimir Matyushenko  (25 – 5 – 0) vs. [#33] Jason Brilz  (18 – 3 – 1)

Vladimir Matyushenko is a 13 + year veteran of the sport.  He will be facing an 11 year veteran in Jason Brilz.  Matyushenko, who first fought for the promotion at UFC 32 against [#120WW] Yuki Kondo in June of 2001, is 4-1 in his last 5.  He most recently rebounded from a TKO (elbows) loss to UFC light heavyweight champ [#1] Jon Jones by handing out a TKO (punches and elbows) of his own to [#122] Alexandre Ferreira at UFC 122 in November 2010.  Brilz is 1-2 in his last 3, but both losses were split decision losses.  Most recently, he lost a very contentious split decision to [#20] Antonio Rogerio Nogueira nearly a year ago at UFC 114 in May 2010.  Prior to losing a split decision to Eliot Marshall at UFC 103 in September 2009, Brilz was on a 10 fight win streak (8 by stoppage).  Both fighters possess wrestling prowess, but Brilz may be better on the feet.  Brilz will not be in a good spot if he loses two in a row.

Preliminary Bouts

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#28] Nate Diaz  (13 – 6 – 0) vs. [#60] Rory MacDonald  (10 – 1 – 0)

Nate Diaz is looking to make some waves at welterweight.  His first fight at welterweight was a unanimous decision loss to [#16] Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 125 on January 1st 2011.  Diaz had struggled to find his spot in the crowded 155 division in the recent past, going 3-3 in his last 6 lightweight bouts.  Following a loss in his welterweight debut, Diaz is in a bit of an unfamiliar must-win position.  Rory MacDonald is coming his first loss; a TKO to former WEC welterweight champion [#7] Carlos Condit at UFC 115 in June 2010.  Prior to this loss, MacDonald had finished his opponents in all 10 of his victories.  MacDonald is one of the youngest fighters ever in the UFC at just 21 years old.  Regardless of what happens in this fight, MacDonald has lots of time to work on himself and improve over time.  However, MacDonald may be in a must-win position as well if he wishes to stay in the UFC.  It is not often that Nate Diaz is 4 years older than his opponent, but he will be on Saturday night.

Lightweight (155 lbs)
[#163] John Makdessi  (8 – 0 – 0) vs. [#250] Kyle Watson  (13 – 6 – 1)

Undefeated John Makdessi is coming off of a very impressive UFC debut when he thrilled his hometown Quebec crowd and defeated [#437] Pat Audinwood via unanimous decision at UFC 124 in December of 2010.  He used flashy tae kwon do style kicks and other unorthodox strikes to vex his taller opponent.  Audinwood was given the pink slip following his loss to Makdessi.  Makdessi has won 6 of his 8 fights by TKO.  Kyle Watson was a semi-finalist on season 12 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” losing to eventual winner [#94] Jonathan Brookins.  Watson is riding a 5 fight win streak, 4 by stoppage.  He most recently defeated [*] Sako Chivitchyan by unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale in December 2010.  Watson is more experienced, but Makdessi has the 6 year youth advantage.  This will be a classic striker vs. grappler match; it could be either man’s fight.

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#17] Jake Ellenberger  (23 – 5 – 0) vs. [#70] Sean Pierson  (11 – 4 – 0)

Jake Ellenberger comes into this fight on an 8 fight win streak.  His last performance was an underwhelming split decision victory over Carlos Eduardo Rocha at UFC 126 in February 2011.  Ellenberger is 3-1 in the UFC, losing his first fight in the promotion to [#7] Carlos Condit via split decision back at UFC Fight Night 19 in September 2009.  Pierson, who is riding a 6 fight win streak (5 by stoppage) fought his first bout in the UFC in December 2010 at UFC 124 against [#93] Matt Riddle.  Pierson upset the young prospect and won via unanimous decision.  Pierson is a veteran, having had his first pro MMA fight in October 1999.   Ellenberger should have the requisite wrestling and stand up skills to defeat Pierson, but Pierson will have home crowd advantage.

Featherweight (145 lbs)
[#78] Yves Jabouin  (15 – 6 – 0) vs. [#79] Pablo Garza (9 – 1 – 0)

Yves Jabouin went 1-2 in WEC, but he gained many fans in his valiantly fought TKO loss to [#14] Mark Hominick at WEC 49 in June 2010.  He rebounded from that loss by winning a unanimous decision over [#159] Brandon Visher at WEC 52 in November 2010.  Pablo Garza entered WEC riding a 9 fight win streak.  One guillotine later, applied by Inner Mongolian prospect [#85] Tiequan Zhang at WEC 51 in September 2010, Garza’s undefeated win streak had been broken.  He rebounded with a highlight reel flying knee KO over [#117] Fredson Paixao at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale.  Garza will look to bring this fight to the ground, while Jabouin will try to keep the fight standing.  If Jabouin loses, he will be 1-3 in his last 4.  This could be must win for Jabouin to stay employed by the UFC.

Bantamweight (135 lbs)
[#35] Charlie Valencia  (12 – 6 – 0) vs. [#68] Ivan Menjivar (21 – 8 – 0)

Charlie Valencia is a solid test for any bantamweight hoping to reach the top of the division.  Valencia was on a 3 fight win streak prior to his last fight, a rear-naked choke submission loss at WEC 51 in September 2010 to former WEC bantamweight champ [#6] Miguel Torres.  Valencia is looking to make an impact in his first UFC fight, but he will have to get past veteran Ivan Menjivar first.  Menjivar has been in the game for over 10 years now, fighting many of the best fighters the lighter weight classes had to offer in the early to mid 2000’s (he even fought [#1WW] Georges St. Pierre in 2002)!  This will not be Menjivar’s first time inside the UFC octagon.  He lost a unanimous decision to former welterweight champ [#24WW] Matt Serra at UFC 48 back in June 2004.  After taking 3 and a half years off from the cage, Menjivar returned in June 2010 and defeated [*] Aaron Miller.  Menjivar’s most recent fight was a unanimous decision loss to [#21] Brad Pickett at WEC 53 in December 2010.  Menjivar, 1-3 in his last 4, needs this win to stay relevant in his return to top tier MMA.

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#49] Daniel Roberts  (12 – 1 – 0) vs. [#68] Claude Patrick  (13 – 1 – 0)

After a harsh welcome to the UFC at the hands of [#48] John Howard (via KO) at UFC Live 1 in March 2010, Daniel Roberts has won 3 straight (2 by submission).  Roberts, who has won 9 of his 12 victories by submission, most recently submitting Greg Soto at UFC 125 on January 1st, 2011.  Patrick is a submission specialist in his own right, winning 9 of his 13 victories via submission.  Patrick rides an incredible 12 fight win streak into this, his 3rd UFC bout.  He most recently defeated James Wilks via unanimous decision at UFC 120 in October 2010.  Roberts most likely has the stand up and wrestling advantage, but it is anybody’s game on the ground.

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#64] Jason MacDonald  (24 – 14 – 0) vs. [#114] Ryan Jensen  (15 – 7 – 0)

Jason MacDonald, who has a 5-6 record in the UFC, has been employed on and off by the promotion since October 2006.  MacDonald had been on a 3 fight win streak outside the company prior to losing in his UFC return to John Salter via TKO (leg injury) in May 2010.  MacDonald, who has lost 4 of his last 7, has not fought in nearly a year.  Ryan Jensen has lost 3 of his last 5, most recently an arm triangle choke submission loss to Court McGee at UFC 121 in October 2010.  Alternating win-loss for his past 5 fights, Jensen has struggled to gain consistency as of late.  One man will walk out of the cage with consecutive losses and most likely a pink slip waiting backstage.