Are MMA Fans Ready For the Craziest Two Months Ever?

Promoted to frontpage from fanposts by Kelvin Hunt

This Sunday, the beginning of WEC: Bowles vs Cruz kicks off one of the most active two month periods in the history of this sport. That sounds like a bit of an exaggeration, but when you consider that in that two month period were getting five UFC events, two WEC events, a Dream card, and two Strikeforce events, I think you might have to begin to agree with that notion. But thats not even counting the dozens of fascinating fights taking place in small time promotions all over the world. I think the big name events like the WEC’s and UFC’s speak for themselves so in this article I’ll be doing the readers the favor of chronicling the smaller scale Mixed Martial Arts we will be treated to in the busiest two months in the history of the sport.

First on March 5th, we have Rumble at the Rock featuring two UFC veterans starting on their road back to big time Mixed Martial Arts. Last seen losing a decision to Matt Riddle at Fight Night: Lauzon vs Stephens, Steve Bruno (13-5) will be facing Reggie Pena (8-4) and former pretty boy TUF contestant Daniel Cramer (2-1) will tackle the similarly inexperienced Ever Nunez (1-0).

On March the 6th we of course, have WEC: Bowles vs Cruz. On that same night though, don’t forget to watch the man to win an incredible three NCAA Wrestling Championships and UFC veteran Jake Rosholt get back to the drawing board against Rudy Lindsey (15-7) at XFL Tulsa OK.

Directly following that, on March the 7th we have Sengoku 12. This card will be headlined by a middleweight title fight and rematch between UFC vet Jorge Santiago (21-8) and Mamed Khalidov (20-3). Their first fight ended in an epic display of Santiago’s lacking chin when he was badly hurt by backfists while on top in Mamed’s guard. Despite his apparent glass jaw, Jorge is an extremely dangerous fighter. Since being cut by the UFC he has gone on a tear, winning nine in a row before being stopped by Mamed. In those nine fights he has shown incredible well-roundedness with five stoppages due to strikes and four submissions. Khalidov is well rounded himself with nine stoppages by submission and ten by strikes in his career. Currently riding a seventeen fight win streak, this guy really could be the next big thing at 185 lbs and this is a fight that shouldn’t be overlooked. Also on the card is Japanese mainstay and UFC veteran Akihiro Gono (31-15-7) taking on prospect Diego Gonzales (13-3). Gono has been in this game for a long time and will be the perfect gauge to see where Gonzales is at in his career. Another fight to watch that night would be Marlon Sandro (15-1) vs Tomonari Kanomata (15-4-5). Sandro is a hot prospect coming off of a pair of murderous knockouts and a controversial “must decide” split decision loss.

Five days later in Australia we will see Olympic Judoka, Bellator middleweight champ and all around 185 standout Hector Lombard (24-2-1) look to puff his record out against Art Santore (18-7). Lombard is a guy who really belongs in a mainstream organization at this point so keep an eye on him.

In what will be the longest mma layoff of this period, nine days after that on March 21st we will see the fantastic free card: UFC on Versus Vera vs Jones.The next night, we’re treated to Dream 13. Highlights on that card will include the Dream Featherweight Grand Prix winner Bibiano Fernandes (7-2) defending his belt against an exciting new arrival at 145, former lightweight standout Joachim Hansen (19-8-1). Former EliteXC Welterweight champ and the last man to defeat Nick Diaz, KJ Noons(7-2) will make his return to MMA after a fairly successful run at professional boxing against Andre Amado (6-3). Ryo Chonan (16-10), a UFC and Pride veteran, and the man to land the epic flying leg scissor heel hook on Anderson Silva will be featured on the card as well, fighting Andrews Nakahara (2-1). Finally we have fan favorite and recent “Superhulk” tournament champ “Minowaman” (44-30) against fellow journeyman Jimmy Ambriz (14-12-1).

Less than one week later, March 26th will see an extremely intriguing fight between two guys who could be part of the next wave of young ultra-talented fighters coming up. Ryan Couture, son of Randy Couture will be facing the 2nd ever Eddie Bravo Black Belt, Sean “Double Bagger” Boilinger. This one is a fascinating style matchup and a great test for Bravo’s controversial “10th Planet” system in Mixed Martial Arts.

That same night we’re treated to a card full of more up and comers with Strikeforce Challengers 7. Some fights to keep your eye on for that card will be the potential light-heavyweight prospect Ron Humphrey (5-1), last seen losing to Brett Rogers in EliteXC vs George Bush (5-1) notable for his decision victory over TUF finalist Vinny Magalhaes. Also female mma standout Meisha Tate (10-2) will take on undefeated Zoaila Frausto (5-0).

The very next night on March 27th we are treated to the epic UFC 111 and four days later, on March 31st, the UFC’s second free on tv treat to fans will be Ultimate Fight Night: Florian vs Gomi. Three days later April 3rd will be the night for the return to action of the man most famous for his upset beat-down of Frank Mir. Marcio Cruz (6-2) will meet Dave Yost (6-1) at Art of Fighting 7.

Five days later, April 8th will be the debut of season two of Bellator Fighting Championships. If your not familiar with Bellator from last season, they are an upstart promotion that pits some of Mixed Martial Arts hottest prospect in fast paced tournaments across the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, and middleweight divisions. Wrestling powerhouse and all-around fan-interest case Joe Warren (2-1), the man who upset “Kid” Yamamoto last year in just his second fight ever, is set to face the far more experienced John Eric Marriott (17-2). Other fights on that card will be Georgi Karakhanyan (12-1) vs Bao Quach (17-9) and Jorge Masvidal (19-5) vs Toby Imada (23-12) in an exciting rematch of the fight that ended in 2009’s submission of the year.

Two days after that, April 10th features the huge UFC 112. Five days later Bellator will be putting on another great show of MMA’s top prospects in another tournament round. On April 15th Wilson Reis (9-1) meets Shad Lierley (5-2). Undefeated Patricio Freire (12-0) takes on undefeated William Romero (5-0). Yet another Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren (3-0) is set to fight UFC veteran Ryan Thomas (10-2). Former WEC standout and ADCC 2009 qualifier Jeff Curran is also scheduled to face Joe Doherty (8-3).

A scant two days after that brings us Strikeforce: Nashville. This card has been talked about a lot lately so little introduction is necessary. We will be treated to a whooping three title fights with a match between two of the best middleweights outside of the UFC Henderson (25-7) vs Shields (24-4), arguably THE two best lightweights outside the UFC Aoki (23-4) vs Melendez (17-2), and the two hottest prospects in MMA in general in Mousasi (28-2) vs Lawal (6-0).

Just under a week after that, April 23rd features a guilty pleasure of all MMA fans: freakshow fights. Tim Sylvia (25-6) will continue his campaign for “worlds worst career moves” when he steps into the cage with “worlds strongest man” Mariusz Pudzianowski (1-0). If that weirdness isn’t enough, the man who single handedly brought down a promotion, Seth Petruzelli (11-4) will be fighting a man who had far less success with “The Slice” in Houston Alexander (9-6).

The very next night will feature the WEC’s big gamble. WEC: Aldo vs Faber Live on Pay Per View. On May 6th, there is also a yet to be fleshed out Bellator card that I’m sure will be chalk full of great matchups so keep your eyes open for that card to be announced.

And that brings us to exactly two months and one day since the Rumble at the Rock event in Florida. Now after reading all of that, I doubt anyone can argue that we have ahead an extremely good two month period to be a mixed martial arts fan.There is essential a fight of some level of interest every few days for two months. I don’t think anyone can really argue that there has ever been a busier period of two months in this sport. But don’t forget that even though the two months is up, right around the corner is UFC 112: Machida vs Shogun 2 and Shine Fights 3 featuring the former pro boxer and general crazy man Ricardo Mayorga making his mma debut against UFC veteran Din Thomas (25-8). So go to Sams and buy a few crates of wings and start making nice with the manager of your favorite local pizza joint because your in for an epic two months if you’re a Mixed Martial Arts fan. Enjoy..