UFC 109 Preview

On Sunday morning, for the first time ever two UFC Hall of Famers will meet when Randy Couture takes on Mark Coleman.

In a fight originally scheduled to take place 12 years ago Randy Couture,46, is the clear favourite after defeating Brandon Vera at UFC 105 and many people will think that Coleman could be easily defeated.

However This fight could be seen as more important for Mark Coleman, aged 45 as he looks to build on the win against Stephan Bonnar and get back to the form that had him dominating the sport during the 1990’s.

Coleman, the first ever UFC heavyweight champion, said: “You live for these big matches. I really didn’t want to be on the undercard of the last fight. I like the main event, I like the spotlight, I like to challenge myself and see if I can rise to the occasion. That’s what I want to do this fight. I want to perform for the fans, and one way or the other I want it to be an exciting fight for them, one that they can walk away from and be happy that they were able to see it.”

Randy Couture suffered an injury 12 years ago and was forced to withdraw from the original fight.“I was looking forward to the fight and was disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to compete because of the injury, and then seeing Mark turn around and get knocked out by Pete Williams, I was like ‘damn. I probably could have won the fight,’” said Couture. “I’ve never been the knockout guy, so it wouldn’t have been like Pete beat him, but I think I had a chance of beating him.”

Another exciting fight on the main card is the middleweight bout between Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen as they fight for the chance to challenge for the title.

MAIN CARD (live on ESPN)

• Mark Coleman vs. Randy Couture
• Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen
• Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago
• Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller
• Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Justin Buchholz vs. Mac Danzig
• Melvin Guillard vs. Ronnys Torres
• Rob Emerson vs. Phillipe Nover
• Phil Davis vs. Brian Stann
• Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer
• Joey Beltran vs. Rolles Gracie

UFC 98: Evans vs Machida Preview

Current Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida put their undefeated records on the line on the 23rd May to determine once and for all who is the pound-for-pound cage fighter.

In the brutal and, somewhat controversial, sport of Mixed Martial Arts, there is only room for king of the cage and this fight is sure establish who this fighter will be.

With both fighters having disposed of ‘Ultimate Fighting Championship’ fan favourites such as Tito Ortiz and poster boy Chuck Liddell in previous fights, the UFC 98 headlining fight is sure to blow the roof off the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Rashad ‘Suga’ Evans boasts an impressive record with 18 wins, no losses and only one draw. Equally impressive is his opponents record, coming into the fight 14-0-0.

UFC President Dana White said: “Neither guy has learned how to lose yet, and I’m interested to see if Rashad is the first fighter to figure out Machida’s style, as well as if Machida can withstand the striking power and wrestling of Rashad.’

Previous fighters have failed to cope with Machida’s unpredictable and unorthodox offence, and like-wise with Evan’s knockout power punches.

On a date yet to be decided, the winner of this battle will face top contender Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in a contest, which is sure to top this bout.

In the UFC 98 co-headliner, long-term rivals Matt Hughes and Matt ‘The Terror’ Serra face off in the ultimate grudge match.

The feud, which has been boiling for years, nearly simmered over the top when both fighters were coaches on UFC contestant show ‘The Ultimate Fighter’.

Now, the time for talking is over and both fighters will aim to come out swinging in the Octagon to put and end to this Welterweight dispute.

The event also sees a quick return to the cage for ‘The Polish Experiment’ Krzysztof Soszynski.

Having finished both of his previous fights with impressive arm locks, he is facing of against submission expert Andre Gusmao in a fight that is a strong contender to steal ‘Fight of the Night’.

UFC 96 preview - Jackson vs Jardine

Quinton “The Rampage” Jackson plans to move one step closer to recapturing the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title, when he takes on Keith “The Mean of Dean” Jardine in  UFC 96 on Saturday. Read more