UFC on Versus 1

Some good fights, hope we get to see some of the ones on the undercard. Here we go,

Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara vs. James "The Sandman" Irvin
middleweight (185)

Irvin finally makes his return to the UFC after nearly two years off due to suspension and injury. He was last seen on the wrong end of an Anderson Silva fight, and is finally making his debut at 185, after fighting his entire UFC career at 205. Sakara hasn't fought since August of last year, when he edged out former title contender Thales Leites by split decision.

Sakara is a superb boxer, with outstanding head movement, and footwork. His overall striking game has evolved out of pure boxing to include solid kicks and knees. Where "Legionarius" suffers the most is in the grappling and ground aspect of the game. He is mediocre at best, and has sub par submission defense. That being said, don't expect Irvin to to try and take this fight to the mat.

For better or for worse, "The Sandman" likes to slug it out, and let his natural speed an athleticism carry his solid, if not technically proficient striking game. With several UFC highlight reel KOs on his record, Irvin likes to explode with flashy, dynamic striking, that USUALLY ends fights in his favor.

With both fighters likely to keep this fight standing, it will come down to whether or not the dynamic pugilisticology of Irvin, can overcome the technical, and precise striking of Sakara. Irvin is dropping down to 185, when he had a hard time making weight at 205 for his last fight. It's also been almost two years since he last fought, so ring rust may be an issue. Sakara is very crisp and exact, but lacks true KO power, which Irvin had in spades, last time we saw him. If Sakara can frustrate the Sacramento native with good footwork, and an active jab, Irvin is in trouble. Expect Irvin to try and expose the suspect chin of Sakara early, and plant the italian on the canvas to stay with another highlight reel KO.

Irvin via KO, Rd. 2


Cheick Kongo vs Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello
heavyweight (205-265)

With both fighters coming off losses, and both with the ability and desire to put opponents to the canvas with extreme violence, this should be a very interesting fight.

After winning three straight, Kongo has lost two straight. He lost to two heavyweight title contenders, but losing three in a row is a good way to give Dana White reason to give you the boot. Buentello, on the other hand, has only lost once in the UFC recently, but to remain relevent in an increasingly deep heavyweight division, he can ill afford another loss.

Although he was dropped with a punch, then subsequently choked out in his last fight, Kongo remains one of the elite strikers in the UFCs heavyweight division. While his gargantuan reach, sniper like precision, and KO power, make him a nightmare in the stand-up aspect of fighting., the inverse is true of his ground game. With adequate takedown defense, and almost no submission defense, it's almost academic when he gets taken down. He has improved his offense on the ground, and has some nasty ground and pound. Kongo will do his best to stay on his feet, and put Buentello to sleep via sick kickboxing skills.

Buentello has been in nearly 40 professional fights, which is awesome experience, but it's also a ton of mileage. He's earned the moniker "The Headhunter" with a littany of brutal KOs to his resume, and will look to add Kongo to that list. Buentello comes to this fight, looking to prove he still has fights left in him, but Kongo is a tall order for the vet. With heavy hands, and almost robotic durability, Buentello is a tough nut to crack. Unfortunately, he also doesn't go out of he way to avoid damage, and his striking is very one dimensional. He likes to wade through attacks to implement his gameplan, and against Kongo, that usually leads to an early naptime. This is Kongos fight to lose, and it's going to end with his hand raised at the end of the fight.

Kongo via TKO, Rd. 2

Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos vs Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga
heavyweight (205-265)

A young fighter tearing up the ranks of the heavyweight division. A former contender trying to get back on top. This fight is a compelling one without the background, but because of the potential title implications, it becomes truly compelling.

Dos Santos has been ripping opponents to shreds since he decimated Fabricio Werdum in his UFC debut. With wins over Werdum, Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, and Gilbert Yvel, Dos Santos is no longer under the radar, and has put the whole heavyweight division on notice. With blazing speed, and vicious power, "Cigano" is a nightmare on his feet. He creates angles well, and has an uppercut he throws with murderous intentions. He still hasn't had to fight off his back yet, and it has yet to be seen how strong his ground game is. A purple belt in BJJ under the Nogueira brothers, he clearly has some skill in that aspect, but something tells me he will want to stay standing and avoid the ground.

With perhaps the most impressive grappling credentials in the heavyweight division, Gonzaga is world class when it comes to BJJ. He also has devastating power in his legs, and hands, if not as much technique. A big strong fighter who has all the physical tools to be a champion, where he lacks most as a fighter is in the mental aspect of the game. In his wins he has looked very impressive, but in many of his losses, he has looked timid and pedestrian. If "Napao" can bring the killer instinct necessary to finish a fight, he may finally break into the upper echelons of the UFC heavyweight division.

Expect Dos Santos to come out fast, and push the pace. He get the better of the exchanges on the feet, but Gonzaga will manage to get this fight to the canvas, and there, the disparity between their skillsets in that arena will become obvious. Gonzaga will have his hand raised in victory, and possibly have a fight with Cain Velasquez on the horizon.

Gonzaga via submission (armbar), Rd. 2

Brandon "The Truth" Vera vs Jon "Bones" Jones
lightheavyweight (205)

Jones is the hottest prospect/fighter on the verge of making the leap to stardom in the lightheavyweight division. Despite the unfortunate circumstances of losing his last fight, he remains one of the most dynamic and exciting fighters in the UFC. Jones is what Vera once was, and is trying to supplant the filipino fighter as the nect big thing.

Vera is at a crossroads. After enjoying early success as a heavyweight, he struggled with top tier competition, before dropping down to lightheavyweight, and has encountered mixed results. Much like Jones, Vera lost his last fight, but is not worse for it. Now looking to rebound, Vera is going to try and show that Jones is stepping into a much deeper part of the weight class.

As likely to throw spinning back elbows and sidekicks as a lead jab or leg kick, and possesing some of the most electrifying throws the UFC has ever seen, Jones poses problems with no immediate solutions. Explosive speed, and surprisingly poised despite his 22 years, you can bet he will pressure Vera, keep him off balance with unorthodox strikes and throws from out of nowhere. Vera, however, will not be surprised so easily.

Still struggling to find his place at 205, Vera has impressive skills to bring to a fight. A very well rounded fighter, with KO power in feet and hands, nasty Muy Thai knees, and an extremely underrated ground game, Vera has the tools to solve the Jones dilemma. "The Truth" will need to keep his distance, made difficult by the pteranadon like reach of Jones. Where he will really look to make things happen, will be off his back after the takedowns which will inevitably come. Vera has a very active guard, and looks for subs and sweeps constantly.

This fight has all the hallmarks of a Fight of the Year candidate, and expect it to go all three rounds. It will be a hard fought, and razor close decision, but Vera will eke it out with better technical striking, solid guard work, and a more reliable gas tank. Jones has shown that his cardio is not quite at an elite level yet, and this fight will expose that particular weakness.

Vera via Unanimous Decision