The UFC kicks off 2009 in a big way with UFC 93 emanating from Dublin, Ireland. “93” marks the first time the UFC has been back in Ireland since UFC 72: Victory on June 16^th, 2007, and with them they bring along former Middleweight champion Rich “Ace” Franklin (who headlined the last Ireland event against Yushin Okami), and former PRIDE Welterweight, and Middleweight champion Dan “Hendo” Henderson in a clash that has been years in the making. Also thrown into the equation is the fact that UFC President Dana White has made it clear that the winner of this fight will be the coach for “Team USA” opposite Michael Bisping’s “Team UK” on the 9^th season of The Ultimate Fighter. Franklin has been very public with his hesitation to assume coaching duties again (he served as a coach on the show’s second season opposite Matt Hughes), whereas Henderson has said it would be an honor to represent his country yet again (as he did in the Olympic games). I wonder if this will serve as any added motivation for either fighter?

Adding to the explosiveness of the night’s main event, UFC Hall of Famer Mark “The Hammer” Coleman squares off against former PRIDE sensation Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a rematch to their first encounter back at PRIDE 31 in Feb 2006 in which Coleman scored the TKO after “Shogun” suffered an elbow dislocation during the first round.

Rounding out the main card we’ve got a few other great fights to look forward to such as Alan “The Talent” Belcher (12-4-0) taking on UFC newcomer Denis Kang (31-10-1). UFC heavy hitters Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (25-5-0) taking on Chris “Lights Out” Lytle (36-16-4) in a fight that is sure to warrant either fighter the “KO of the night” award. Also returning to action is UFC veteran Jeremy Horn (88-18-5) who will take on the always dangerous BJJ black belt Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares (17-2-0).

This fight is really interesting to me. Here you’ve got two guys at opposite points in their careers who both need a solid victory to ensure further employment within the UFC, or any major MMA organization (because there’s so many now) in general.

 

Coleman was the first UFC Heavyweight champion, and is considered to be the Father of “ground and pound.” What Coleman brings to this fight is his obvious size and strength advantage, as well as his decorated wrestling background. One should take note that this is Coleman’s first time competing at 205lbs, which could give him a bit more explosiveness in his shot when he looks for the takedown. It should also be noted that Coleman hasn’t fought in more than 2 years, and in his last outing his suffered a submission loss at the hands of #1 ranked Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko.

 

“Shogun” makes his long awaited return to the UFC after more than a year-and-a-half layoff, and multiple surgeries. In his last outing with the UFC “Shogun” looked out of shape, and was beaten decisively for 3 rounds before being submitted by “TUF” season 1 winner, and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. During that fight it appeared as if the “Shogun” of old was nowhere to be found, as he continuously threw sloppy combos, and ran out of breath early in the second round. After breaking away from the famed Chute Boxe Academy, and having sorted through his personal issues, Rua has vowed to return to to the top of the rankings, and become a future UFC champion.

 

It’s no secret here that what Rua gives away in terms of size and strength, he more than makes up for with his skill and athleticism. Rua is no stranger to competing against larger opponents. During his tenure in PRIDE, “Shogun” fought and beat a laundry list of opponents such as Alistair Overeem (twice), Kevin Randleman, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

 

What I think will be the deciding factor in this fight is who shows up in shape. Coleman has almost always shown up in top physical form, but has shown a limited gas tank when his fights have gone into deeper rounds. Rua, as I mentioned earlier, looked terribly out of shape in his fight against Griffin in September 2007. Both competitors have promised to show up at 100%, and if this proves to be true I would have to give the edge to Rua simply because he’s 15 years Coleman’s junior.

 

I see Coleman coming out aggressive (this is a grudge match after all) opting to stand up with Rua for much of the first round. Again, this is Coleman’s first fight at 205lbs, and any added explosiveness he might have with his shot would be best saved for later rounds when he really needs it. While Coleman will come out strong and continuously look for power punches, Rua will utilize his speed and striking advantage to pick apart Coleman’s stand up game. Rua can’t get too overconfident during the first round however, because during the last fight it was Coleman’s aggressiveness that led to Rua’s arm being broken.

 

During the second round I predict Rua coming out much more aggressive than he did during the first, landing a series of combos that will overwhelm Coleman. Personally, I would rather see Coleman win as I feel he could benefit more from a victory inside the octagon (his last UFC victory was in 1997 against Dan Severn), however I can’t help but think that the much younger, and faster opponent will be too much for the Hall of famer. I see Rua taking this one via 2^nd round TKO.

 

 

Making his UFC debut. Denis Kang brings an impressive 31-10-1 record to the octagon as he faces off against Alan “The Talent” Belcher. Both fighters are fresh off victories with Kang scoring the more impressive victory, a 49 sec TKO of Marvin “The Beastman” Eastman in October of 2008.

 

Both fighters have a lot to prove going into this fight. Kang has had a certain hype built around him, and securing a victory over Belcher could easily catapult Kang into title contention. Likewise, a victory over Kang would move Belcher several spots up the ladder in the Middleweight division and inch him closer to getting a title shot of his own.

 

Since both fighters know what’s at stake I see this one being over quickly. In the stand up, Belcher will try to pick at Kang using his Muay Thai to throw a series of kicks, however I have to give the advantage to Kang in the stand up department. Kang will be the aggressor most of the fight, and although Belcher has been known to mix-it-up, I see Kang’s experience being the deciding factor. I predict Kang via TKO in the first.

 

 

Aside from the two main event fights, this is the one I’ve heard people talk about the most. Both guys are known for their punching power, however most of their combined victories have come via submission.

 

Both will come out in the first looking to put on a show for the fans, especially Davis (he is the “Irish Hand Grenade” after all), however once the excitement of getting into a stand up battle begins to wear off, I think the importance of winning the fight will start to weigh in on both competitors. In my opinion Lytle possesses the more technically sound striking and jiu jitsu, however Davis has shown time and time again that he is one of the most resilient fighters at 170lbs, and can hang with the best of them both on the feet and on the ground.

 

While most expect this one to end early due to a KO, I see this one going into the 3^rd round with both fighters being battered and bloodied. While I believe Lytle is the better technical striker, his conditioning has come into question on several occasions, and I see that being a factor again in this fight. When it’s all said and done I see the Dublin crowd going crazy after Davis walks away with the TKO in round 3.

 

 

Both Horn and Palhares return to action after suffering losses in their last fights (Horn was submitted by Dean Lister, and Palhares lost via decision to Dan Henderson), and are looking to get back into the winner’s circle.

 

While horn is undoubtedly one of the toughest, and most experienced fighters in MMA today, he’s had a hard time keeping up with some of the newer breed of fighters, and I don’t see this fight being any different. Going into this fight with Palhares, Horn definitely has the advantage when it comes to experience, but I’m afraid that’s where his advantages end.

 

Palhares is the much faster, and stronger competitor, and is arguably the better on the ground. Although he was defeated by Dan Henderson in his last UFC outing, Palhares demonstrated some serious BJJ skills, and also showed us a solid chin that even Henderson himself acknowledged.

 

In my opinion Horn’s best option to win this fight is on the feet, but even then he’s going to have a hard time dazing Palhares, who took a series of Henderson uppercuts and right hands and kept on coming. In his last two UFC fights Horn has been submitted via guillotine choke, and with Palhares being a BJJ black belt I see this one going much the same way. Palhares is a big 185lbs, and should have no problem muscling Horn around, and eventually getting him to the ground where I predict he will submit him via guillotine in the first round.