UFC on Fox 2

The main card only has three fights tonight, but they're for free on Fox, and they're all pretty compelling fights. Without further ado, lets jump in

Demian Maia vs. Chris "All-American" Weidman
middleweight

Weidman is a late replacement for Michael Bisping (more on that later) and is coming in on eleven days notice. Already 3-0 in his burgeoning UFC career, a win over Maia would vault him into the upper tiers of the weight class, and perhaps put him a win or two away from being considered for title contention. Maia, who has one of the best jiu jitsu games of an MMA fighter in the world, has also started to develop superb stand-up, and is quickly becoming a well rounded man inside the octagon. Will the drain of reportedly cutting 32 pounds in eleven days be too much for Weidman to overcome? Can Maia prevent the Hofstra wrestling standout from taking him down and controlling him for three rounds? In a battle of two highly skilled grapplers, with solidly emerging stand-up, I think the advantage is in Maias court, and he wins in a highly exciting judges decision.

Maia via Unanimous Decision

Chael Sonnen vs. Michael "The Count" Bisping
middleweight

Originally slated to fight Mark Munoz, Sonnen got a new opponent when Munoz went down with an elbow injury, and Bisping stepped out of his bout with Maia, and into what is now being considered a new number one contender match. It's on short notice, but both men were already preparing to fight, just different opponents, so other than preparing a new game plan, both fighters will be ready to throw down. Sonnen has only one thing in mind, a rematch with Anderson Silva, and he is looking to use his high caliber wrestling and ground and pound to do so. Bisping wants to keep this fight standing, and utilize his reach and boxing, but seems confident that he can be effective at neutralizing the top side control of Sonnen, and exploit the Achilles heel that is his submission defense.As good as Bisping is, Sonnen will simply be too much for him to handle. The pressure will be constant, and the ground and pound will be relentless. Expect a finish late in the second, or early in the third, and then sit back and enjoy some fantastic mic work from Sonnen.

Sonnen via TKO, Rd. 2

Rashad "Suga" Evans vs. Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis
light heavyweight

Another fight with title implications, and a bout that had been scheduled for several months ago until Davis was sidelined with a knee injury, the main event looks to be very interesting. Evans has patiently been awaiting another shot at the 205 pound title currently held by former teammate Jon Jones, but injuries and other obstacles have plagued him for over a year now. Davis has been on a meteoric rise in the UFC, and though he's still very new to the sport (just over three years as a pro) he's been getting better and better in each venture into the octagon. Evans is an explosive athlete, and is adept at using his speed and agility to put opponents on the defensive, and either beat them up standing, or take them down for nasty ground and pound. Against Davis, he will want to be careful in going for the take downs, because of the Penn State alums wrestling acumen, and creative submission game. Davis may very well be able to thwart the take downs of Evans, and if he can stymie him in the stand up as well, he very well may be able to force Evans into making a mistake, and leave his chin exposed, or possibly grab a submission. Originally, I thought that Evans experience would just be too much, but I'm feeling a little froggy today, and seem to have convinced myself that Evans will not be able to overcome the stellar wrestling of Davis, and puts himself in trouble late in the second round, when Davis secures the submission win. Should be an interesting fight in any event, and I can't wait to see how it all goes down.

Davis via submission (guillotine) Rd. 2