Upcoming UFC Events Analysis

With a reasonable degree of certainty, we are now able to discuss main events through the end of 2007. Some suggest that Dana White and his at-times overzealous promoting machine are a drain on the sport, but knowing main events in advance allows us to speculate way too early and have a great deal of fun doing so.

UFC 74: Unfortunately, the 74th installment of UFC events (this is a lie, see UFC 37.5) seems be falling just as the 73rd and 72nd did. That is, they feature a number of events which are "good match ups" and could potentially feature upsets, but will most likely leave us saying "I knew that was going to happen." Despite Gabriel Gonzaga's early betting lead over Randy Couture, it is doubtful that the Brazilian will be able to capture the American's title. I watched UFC 56 today, and was put to sleep by Gonzaga's lack of stamina and aggression. To be fair, he did land a knockout blow 13 minutes into the fight (which was 12 minutes too late for the crowd, which had begun to chant "Go Home!" minutes earlier). Additionally, St. Pierre should destroy Josh Koscheck. Of course, I said this about Rush's UFC 69 fight against Matt Serra, but I just don't see how St. Pierre loses two fights in a row. This is certainly one to bet on. Couture and GSP provide the event with marketable and exciting figures, but they aren't fighting worthy competitors. I predict another dud.

UFC 75: After what will have been three months of total crap, UFC will finally come through with an awesome event (even if it does feature PRIDE fighters rather than home-grown UFC talent). Jackson and Henderson should provide an absolute war which will be scheduled to end at any time, as both possess incredible knockout power. On another level, the idea of having Champion vs. Champion is something that's never been done before and brings us closer to Dana White's dream of an MMA Superbowl. On the under card are a few solid fights including the return of Cro Cop and Bisping-Hamill. This is definitely one to buy and will probably be the most hyped card since UFC 71 as well as the most enjoyable card since UFC 68.

UFC 76: I don't even want to talk about this piece of shit card. I plan on spending this fight night watching UFC 52 instead. Liddell vs. Jardine is a waste of time for both fighters and their fans. If Jardine wins, it just sets Liddell further back from a title shot. Meanwhile, it's not as if Jardine is getting a shot at Rampage or Hendo anytime soon. The best scenario is that Liddell destroys him and legitimizes his claim for a title shot. Even so, we would still have to wait another 5 months for this to happen. The fight of the night should be Shogun vs. Machida. We all know what Shogun can do (just one loss in PRIDE with wins over Rampage, Little Nog, and Arona) and despite Machida's fights getting bumped off his last two cards, he still holds wins over B.J. Penn AND Rich Franklin. I wouldn't be surprised if the winner of this fight meets the winner of Evans-Ortiz II, as Liddell inevitably gets lost in the Light heavyweight shuffle.

UFC 77: This should be a fun one, and it's encouraging that they've sandwiched this and 75 on either side of the evolving disaster that will be UFC 76. Rich Franklin will get his rematch against Anderson Silva and the WORST thing that happens is that Franklin gets his face knocked in from a Muay Thai clinch for two rounds. The best case scenario (in my book, at least) is that the Miletich-trained fighter takes this fight, setting the stage for Franklin-Silva III. That would be awesome. Meanwhile, Tito and Rashad will meet again, and both should be looking to make an impact. Neither fighter was pleased with the outcome at 73, and both want to prove that they are the better competitor. Look for an all-out war.

UFC 78: While this card won't be quite as strong as 77, it will still top the UFC 76 card. It looks to feature Sherk-Penn for the Lightweight title, or as I like to call it, the fight of second-tier Welterweights. Both hold losses to St. Pierre and Matt Hughes and have since decided to cut weight and try their hand at a different class. This should be a spectacular fight, with both men being expert technicians and wizards on the ground. Both can strike, Sherk has the best take downs in the game, but Penn might have the best defense. Anything can happen in this fight, and that's what makes it so exciting. Maybe they'll add a little Arlovski-Sylvia IV to this card and really make it a show stopper. Big Nog would be ready to fight at this point as well, and Cro Cop has been guaranteed a date with Rodrigo -- if he can get past Kongo at 76. Just a thought...

UFC 79: I doubt that the Hughes-Serra fight will the greatest bout in the history of MMA, but it could be good. For all intents and purposes, Hughes is expected to win his title back (he's a current -400 favorite) without having to go through GSP. The most exciting part of this bout is that it should set up Hughes-St. Pierre III, which will reach Liddell-Couture trilogy status. It's way too early to guess what else will be on this card, but as we all know too well, the other main card fights (not the main event) often make or break the entire event. It could be as good as 75 or as terrible as 76; it all just depends on how they schedule it.