UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will attempt to defend his heavyweight title, while Australian Mark Hunt is fighting on the undercard at UFC 160. We’ll have live updates from 12.00pm AEST.
Cain Velasquez (11-1-0) versus Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva (18-4-0)
Heavyweight Championship of the world
A clash of the titan’s affair features as the main event of the evening, this bout is one of the stranger main events of recent times in that the two men have met before.
At UFC 146 Cain Velasquez took down and absolutely mauled Bigfoot Silva on his way to a gruesome first round TKO win.
Fast forward one year exactly and the two meet again however this time it’s for the title.
Since then both men have been hard at work. Cain put on one of the more dominant displays in title fight history when he rag dolled Junior Dos Santos for five rounds, thus regaining the heavyweight championship and also avenging the only loss of his career.
For Bigfoot it has been a memorable year for different reasons, It seems that the beating Cain gave him at UFC 146 has resulted in the Brazilian giant remembering that just because he is supposed to lose fights, doesn’t mean he has to.
After all, he handed the greatest heavyweight of all time, Fedor, his first ever TKO loss.
The perennial underdog first met Travis Browne in October last year in what was deemed by many to be a setup for Browne to enter the upper echelons of the division, Bigfoot TKO’d Browne in Round 1.
Then in what was supposed to be another qualifier for his opponent, Silva took on Dutch kickboxing phenom, Alistair Overeem, after winning the first and second rounds.
Overeem got tired and Bigfoot decided to derail the hype train, landing shots that could have concussed an elephant, Bigfoot had to be dragged off of his opponent by the referee after knocking Overeem out in the third round.
The moral of the story is that even though it is likely Cain will use his superior wrestling and boxing to control and finish Bigfoot once again, you simply can’t count out a man who has wears the underdog label better than maybe anyone ever has.
Heart says Bigfoot, head says Cain, it’s a tough call but I’m going with the champion here, I think he will just be too athletic for Bigfoot to deal with and will stop him in the second round via TKO – but there is always that chance.
Junior Dos Santos (15-2-0) versus Mark ‘Super Samoan’ Hunt (9-7-0)
Heavyweight bout
Junior dos Santos is coming off a loss that most agree took years off his career. Seeing a champion of such high calibre, with his freshly inked Nike contract and superhero status in Brazil, get beaten so resoundingly for five rounds was one of the more shocking things I have seen in sport.
This contest against a former K1 world grand prix champion, Mark Hunt, will perhaps decide whether he will ever reach the top of the division again.
A Pride veteran who has been involved in MMA since 2004 is well known to long time fans of the sport but has more recently become one of the UFC’s most popular fighters due to his knock out power and happy go lucky attitude, he is currently riding a four fight win streak, the latest being a brutal knockout of Dutch seven-footer Stefan Struve.
It has been known for while that a win here for Dos Santos will see him get another title shot, however it is less clear what will happen if Hunt wins.
Dana White spoke on the issue at UFC 158 press conference.
“It’s crazy to say, … but if he knocks Junior dos Santos out, how is this guy not next in line?” said White, but a definitive yes/no is yet to be given.
This looks to be a fantastic match-up between two men notorious for their knock-out power and granite chins, Dos Santos holds a clear advantage if the fight goes to the ground though I’d say that he will look to use his height and reach to cut Hunt off and try and knock him out.
This being said I don’t see either guy finishing the other on the feet and I think the former champions cardio will be the difference, He also showed some serious durability in his loss to Velasquez.
I think this might be the first time we see Junior’s BJJ black belt come into play, I’m picking dos Santos via submission round two.
Glover Texeria (20-2-0) versus James Te Huna (18-5-0)
Light Heavyweight bout
An International match-up sees the Brazillian Chuck Lidell prodigy, Glover Texeria take on rampaging Kiwi James Te Huna in a 205lb fight that promises fireworks!
Texeria has been surrounded by Hype for some time now and was widely considered to be one of the best fighters competing outside of the UFC until he made his promotional debut in 2012.
The Brazillian is currently riding an incredible 18-fight win streak and is 3-0 in the UFC so far, with wins over Kyle Kingsbury, Fabio Moldanado and Quinton Jackson to his name.
While Texeria has been well known by fans of the sport for a long time, his opponent, Te Huna has been quietly getting the job done and has amassed a four fight win streak since his first UFC loss to Alexander Gustafsson back in early 2011.
Te Huna has stood in for an injured Ryan Bader in this fight and a win over a top five opponent like Texeria will see his standing in the division raised considerably.
This is a tough one to pick but I’m going for the underdog here, Te Huna will have just too much power for Texeria, he will surprise everyone and get the KO in Round 2.
Gray ‘The Bully’ Maynard (12-1-1-1NC) versus TJ Grant (20-5-0)
Lightweight bout
A battle of top five lightweights, the winner of this one gets a shot at the champion, Benson Henderson.
Gray Maynard has been fighting in the UFC since being a cast member on the Ultimate Fighter season five back in 2007.
He has since gone 9-1-1 with his loss and draw both coming when fighting for the title against Frankie Edgar.
Maynard is one of the rare fighters that people love to watch fight even though he wins mainly by decision.
TJ Grant has been fighting in the UFC for almost as long as his opponent, the Canadian made his promotional debut in 2009 at UFC 97 with a win over Ryo Chonan.
His first six fights in the UFC were at welterweight where he went 3-3, he decided to move down a division to lightweight and that is where he has found success, having beaten all 4 of his opponents at 155lbs so far.
Grant holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu but will more likely look to stand and trade with maynard, with many experts saying he has the more diverse striking arsenal of the two.
If this is anything like his past fights, Maynard will look to use his collegiate wrestling background combined with his trademark power punches to pressure Grant and tire him out.
I think that although Grant has shown some serious class of late he has yet to fight an elite lightweight fighter like Maynard and while I don’t think Maynard will knock Grant out on the feet, I do think he will tire him significantly with his wrestling and will come away with a decision victory.
Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone (19-5-0-1NC) versus KJ Noons (10-5-0)
Lightweight bout
One of the better known fighters in the UFC, Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone suffered the first TKO loss of his career at the hands of Anthony Pettis in his last outing and will be looking to get back in the title picture at 155lbs with a win over recent Strikeforce convert KJ Noons.
The 30-year-old Cerrone has gone 6-2 in the UFC since making his debut in 2011, while he relies on his kickboxing back ground, Cerrone has evolved during his time under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn into one of the more well-rounded fighters in the lightweight division having the majority of his victories coming by way of submission.
His opponent, KJ Noons is coming off two losses under the Strikeforce banner and will most likely receive his marching orders from the UFC if he fails to win here, a tough ask for any debutant in the worlds premier MMA organisation let alone one who is fighting someone as tough and experienced as Cerrone.
While the Hawaiian Noons is a professional boxer as well as being an elite mixed martial artist I can’t see him getting past Cerrone who will be full of vinegar in his mission to get a big win.
Cerrone by second round submission.
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
yeah, good to have representatives on such a grand stage for both nations!
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, was just having fun. They all train & live in Aus, I believe.
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
they all seem to claim both in fairness, Te Huna on record as saying his grandfather was an Anzac and he represents both, Hunt fights out of Sydney by way of Auckland, Whitaker was a rather vocal representative of Australia on TUF:Smashes so I think its fair to say he wouldn't mind being called Australian.
Jerry
Guest
"A new Aussie star on the rise in Robert Whitaker" Nope, a new Kiwi star on the rise a couple of Aussie losses for Te Huna & Hunt.
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
after a great night of fights, We have a new number one contender in the lightweight division, TJ Grant, A new Aussie star on the rise in Robert Whitaker and a Heavyweight champion who might be here for some time in Cain Velasquez! Thanks to everyone for tuning in!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
annnnnddd stiiiilllll the undisputed champion of the world, Cain Velasquez.! his first title defence, some might argue that was an early stoppage but Bigfoot really wasn't defending himself, you cant let a guy as big as Cain keep hitting a guy who isn't defending himself, Bigfoot will be back, hes not one to give up in things and he will be back in the cage soon. Cain gets to go home with a big monkey off his back there, first ever title defence out the way!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Cain Velasquez vs Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva ROUND 1 Cain immediately looks for the takedown, grabbing hold of a leg but Bigfoot shakes him off, again he stuffs Cains attempt at taking him down, leg kick for cain, Big right hand for Cain! Bigfoot is down! Cain swarms him! hes landing unanswered shots, Bigfoot isn't defending himself, Yamasaki stops the fight! Cain defends his title!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Cain comes out to the arena, Mexican flag wrapped around his fist, Mexican ballad blaring in the background, what a representative of his people and Heritage, He looks focused on the task at hand, Defending this title!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Bigfoot out first, to some aggressive sounding Portuguese Rap music, He is roaring in the tunnel! this man is enormous, he cuts weight to make the 120 kilo limit. what a mammoth of a human being.
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
up next its the Main event of the evening! Champion Cain Velasquez vs Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva, the second time these two meet in the UFC, will it end up like the first, or will Bigfoot shock the world and become the new UFC Heavyweight Champion?
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
As soon as that fight was stopped Dos Santos jumped over the cage fence and shook the hands of Mike Tyson, Dana White and UFC majority owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. What a company man!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
The Winner by Knockout, Junior Dos Santos! what a knockout! a huge spinning back kick! No one but Junior saw that coming! 'He'sa dangerous but very nice guy..so I like people like him'-Dos Santos on his Opponent, Mark Hunt. He is now the number one contender!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
ROUND 3 Hunt immediately shows he will be swinging for the fences this round, Dos Santos stays active though and dances out the way of a looping shot from Hunt, Hunt pressures his opponent against the fence now and looks to land that big left hand that broke Stefan Struves jaw not long ago, Hunt is probably two rounds down at this point and the way he is swinging suggests he knows he need to finish Dos Santos to win this. Junior uses his reach well and comes in to land a nice uppercut, he follows it up with a big left hook that wobbles Hunt, I think that would have knocked out most guys in the division, Dos Santos throws a spinning kick that puts hunt flat on his back! What a kick! He runs in and lands one more punch to Hunt , the referee is all over him before he can do anymore!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
ROUND 2 they touch gloves, again its Dos Santos on the outside, constant movement from him, He comes into the centre now though, Hunt is bleeding from his left ear, which is where Dos Santos landed that bomb in the first round, nice left hook from Hunt there, Dos Santos isn't bobbing in and out like he was at first, his corner is shouting at him in Portuguese presumably telling him to stay fast, Hunt gets reeled by some stiff jabs from the Brazilian, Junior has started to move a bit smoother again now and throws a spinning back kick to the body of Hunt. Hunt lands a big left hand on Dos santos that backs him up, Dos Santos has enough and takes Hunt down, he moves to half guard and looks to pressurize Hunt with his top game, He gets into side control and is trying to gt into a mounted crucifix position. Round ends 10-9 Dos Santos
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
ROUND 1 both men come out slowly, Hunt lands a leg kick early on, Dos Santos circles Hunt, looking for his moment, he will look to use his pace advantage to pick his shots, Dos Santos lands a colossal overhand right! it sends Hunt reeling and Junior pounces on him, he throws wildly but Hunt stands up, back to the centre they go, Hunt looks recovered already, he pressures Dos Santos now, The former champion dances away from a kick aimed at the body, they come together again, brief clashes before Dos Santos weaves out again, Hunt throws a spinning backfist! an awkward kick lands for Junior, who lands another big right hand,
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Junior Dos Santos walks out in his blue Nike sponsored shirt, The giant Brazilian wants to get back to the title belt, a win here tonight does that, can he knock out a man with a chin that is the thing of legends? Huge bout coming up right now, Co-main event of the evening, Junior Dos Santos vs. Mark 'Super Samoan; Hunt!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Mark Hunt walks out to the cage, dead eyed, too much experience too get emotional now for Hunt, the Knockout machine gets into the cage looking slimmer than usual! never been knocked down in the UFC!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Junior dos Santos has to be one of the most terrifying nice guys on the planet!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
Junior Dos Santos vs Mark Hunt up next...the names say it all...fireworks!
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
A break in the action means we can mention the big win for Aussie Ultimate fighter winner Robert Whitaker who got the TKO victory over his American counterpart, Colton Smith, earlier this evening, The american being put to sleep by a big left hand from the Aussie Whitaker who will be happy as Larry to get a finish in his first professional outing for the Organization!