Happy New Year to all of our fans. What a great year for mixed martial arts, and 2013 promises to be one to remember despite the “injury bug” showing up. The 2013 spotlight centers around potential grudge matches, bitter rivals, and the entrance of women’s MMA into the UFC. The 2013 UFC schedule is stacked, but what fights are already “tailor made” for certain fighters? Let’s discuss the top 5 in my opinion:
5. Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Japan March 3 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama
Hunt was expected face Stefan Struve on 26 May 2012 at UFC 146, but pulled out of the bout due to injury ten days prior to the event. The bout with Struve is expected to be rescheduled for 3 March 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 8. Hunt is coming off a 3 fight winning streak, but all the fighters he has destroyed all have something is common, no BJJ skills.
Hunt is an animal, but his biggest downfall has always been the ground game. Remember, this is the same guy that lost 5 straight fights via submission, then the UFC let him in and he was submitted again for 6 straight losses.
Hunt has been sidelined since a win over Kongo in February 2012, while Struve has been putting striker’s away like Pat Barry (sub of the night), Lavar Johnson (sub of the night), Dave Herman and most recently, Stipe Miocic which was FOTN. The armbar has been Hunt’s demise in the past and we all know Struve has a decorated ground game. Look for “The Skyscraper’s” improved striking to get this fight to the ground for a submission victory.
4. Renan Barao vs Michael McDonald for the Interim Bantamweight Championship February 16, 2013 London, England Wembley Arena.
McDonald is still relatively young in the sport, but has already made a name for himself. And if he beats Barao he will be the youngest champ in UFC history. I just don’t see this McDonald being a 2013 contender like the other MacDonald (Rory).
Barao is riding one of the longest unbeaten streaks in MMA history with 29 straight fights without a loss. He is coming off his most recent win over Urijah Faber at UFC 149 for the interim bantamweight championship. I love the fact that McDonald stepped up for this fight and didn’t deny himself a title shot, and the fact that Barao isn’t wanting to sit out until Dominick Cruz‘s return.
McDonald has a decent ground game with extreme KO power in both hands. He is a well-rounded MMA fighter, but I still think Barao is one of the best overall mma fighters in the world, let alone the UFC. Barao isn’t afraid to strike, so “Mayday” will have a quick shot at putting the interim champ to sleep, but Barao is so well-rounded that I see him dominating early and often with his reach. Barao will get this fight to the ground for a gritty third round submission.
3. Jon Jones vs Chael Sonnen April 27, 2013 Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center.
I love this fight and it will also be featured on my list for the most anticipated UFC fights for 2013, but we all know why this fight is happening. It’s not because Jones wants to give the fans what they want, and it’s not even because the UFC’s trying to save their ratings for their TUF series. It’s because Dana White knows that Sonnen sells seats and PPV’s, and that fans will pay a lot of money to watch him eat his words and get his ass kicked.
I admire both guys and enjoy Sonnen, but he is a one trick pony relying only on his wrestling and doesn’t deserve this fight, especially coming off a title loss. I doubt we will see him trying to get all flashy again like he did against Silva. Plus, we all know if there is going to be a flashy fighter that night, it will be Jones.
Expect Jones to dominate will his stellar reach, equal wrestling skills, and his dangerous ground and pound. I see this fight going to the ground, but not in the way that Sonnen would want it. Tune in to what should be one of the best TUF shows since Rashad and Rampage coached, and then for all you Sonnen haters, be sure not to miss one of the biggest one-sided fights of 2013 as Jones will put Sonnen on his back early and often, dominating with precise ground and pound.
2. GSP vs Nick Diaz March 16, 2013 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Bell Centre
This is another fight that doesn’t make any sense to me right now. We all know Diaz loves to run his mouth and that GSP has let it get to him. GSP knows as we all do that this fight will not be an easy task, but GSP should be fighting Hendricks or even Silva, not Diaz.
I still believe that GSP took this fight because he isn’t scared of Diaz’s “Stockton Slap” or his ground game. Diaz is always a dangerous opponent, but to convince the odds-makers that GSP doesn’t win this fight via decision, would be like trying to convince Kenny Florian to fight again. It just won’t happen. This will be a back and forth battle, and could be the first decision win GSP earns via split, but this fight was chosen by GSP for one reason, and we all know why.
1. UFC 157: Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche February 23, 2013 Anaheim, California Honda Center
I will never forget the first time I saw Liz Carmouche fight inside the octagon. It was a war between Marloes Coenen for the women’s bantamweight championship where she dominated the champion for 3 and a half rounds before gassing out and getting caught in a triangle choke. The problem here is, Rousey is a beast at 135 and could probably beat Faber at bantamweight (probably not but still).
The UFC woman’s division might as well be called the Rousey Division. Dana White and the UFC is only building this division around the 6-0 “arm collector” and they needed a sacrificial lamb for their first UFC woman’s main event. Carmouche will put up a great fight, might be the first fighter to get out of the first round with Rousey, and might even be the first fighter to not lose via armbar, but Rousey, Dana White, and myself don’t see any of that happening, hence why the fight was made.
Be sure to be on the look out for my 2012 awards and The most anticipated fights for 2013 coming soon.
Watch Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen chat it up with Dana White in a TUF interview in the video below.
Video courtesy YouTube uploader ecdctech
~Ben McPhee (Follow me on twitter – @mmawriter1)