This weekend we will witness the UFC’s 200th event, held right here in Sydney. Welterweights Martin Kampmann and Thiago Alves meet in the octagon to headline a show that has created continuous debate among MMA fans as to whether this card is worth the ticket price.
With such focus on this issue, it seems we have forgotten the fundamentals involved who are the fighters and the fights that will take place.
This event will also be cemented in UFC history by the introduction of the flyweight division, a four man tournament in which two will progress to a title fight yet to be announced.
Both fights, Demetrious Johnson (14-2) versus Ian McCall (11-2) and Joseph Benavidez (15-2) versus Yasuihiro Urushitani (19-4-6) will be absolute barnburners and could be in the running for fight of the night contention.
Many are assuming that Johnson and Benavidez will walk away with victories, given that their competitors are UFC debutantes, however they will be facing extremely experienced fighters who have proved themselves in other promotions, with McCall even being ranked the number one flyweight in the world by MMA website Sherdog.
One to keep an eye on is the fight between Cole Miller (18-5) and TUF 14 Alum Steven Siler (19-9). These two have a history with Siler beating the younger Miller, Micah, to get into the house and on the show.
Words were exchanged during the stare down at the weigh in, almost resulting in an altercation. Joe Silva, with the help of Bruce Buffer, held off both fighters.
This will be interesting as both fighters are skilled on the ground, having a majority of wins via submission and incredibly have the same level of takedown defence.
Cole Miller should win this one based on experience, however if Siler is able to put this one under his belt, it is a huge name and a huge advance into the competition for him.
Local boys Anthony Perosh, James Te Huna and Kyle Noke will be sure to take advantage of the hometown event, and should produce wins.
Te Huna (15-5) is facing a leaner Aaron Rosa (17-4) in his fourth fight with the promotion. Both fighters are coming of a win from a previous loss and are looking to progress through the light heavyweight competition.
Kyle Noke (19-5-1) is facing UFC newcomer Andrew Craig (6-0), who has only been fighting pro for two years. Noke will be looking for a comeback to his loss via heel hook against Ed Herman at UFC Live: Hardy versus Lytle.
Anthony Perosh (12-6) is best known for his return to the UFC via a late substitution to face Mirko “Cro Cop” on less than a weeks notice at the inaugural Sydney event, UFC 110. Since then Perosh has experienced two wins via submission and will be looking to put an end to competitor Nick Penner’s winning streak.
The main event itself could also contend for fight of the night featuring two welterweight fighters who are content to stand and bang.
Thiago Alves (24-7) and Martin Kampmann (18-5) certainly have experienced their fair share of big name fights, however both in recent times have had a run of bad luck. Kampmann has received a few poor decisions, while Alves has had weight and medical issues to deal with.
For this fight Kampmann certainly has the (small) advantage with a win over Rick Story, a fighter that Alves has recently lost to. However given the calibre of both, it could be anyone’s fight.
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