The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has wrapped up it’s action for the month of March, so let’s take a quick look at three main card barn burners that await us in the upcoming month… Fight: Chris Weidman vs. Gegard Mousasi Card: UFC 210 Where: Buffalo, NY When: April 8, 2017 Thoughts: This is arguably the people’s main event for UFC 210, and that’s saying a lot considering the actual main event is a highly-anticipated rematch between UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Weidman and Mousasi are amongst two of the best middleweights in the division, and this is without a doubt a huge fight for both of them. It is s rare ‘winner versus loser’ matchup at 185 pounds, with Weidman coming off back-to-back T/KO losses, and Mousasi riding an impressive four-fight winning streak that includes three finishes. This is a meeting between two elite middleweights that no true fight fan will dare miss. Make sure you’re glued to the screen when these two square off in the co-main event. Fight: Rose Namajunas vs. Michelle Waterson Card: UFC on FOX 24 Where: Kansas City, MO When: April 15, 2017 Thoughts: It’s “Thug Rose” versus “The Karate Hottie” in this nationally broadcasted co-main event. This will be a rare ‘winner versus loser’ matchup in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division, with Namajunas coming off a split-decision loss against Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Waterson scoring a first-round rear-naked choke technical submission victory over Paige VanZant. Despite the recent loss, Namajunas is always two or three wins away from earning a title shot, as she is amongst the most popular fighters in the division. Waterson is quite popular herself, and a win here will make it three straight for her in the UFC, which will likely put her in the title picture as well. I expect this to be an exciting scrap from start to finish, whether it lasts a minute or goes the full three-round distance for a judges’ decision. Fight: Joe Lauzon vs. Stevie Ray Card: UFC Fight Night 108 Where: Nashville, TN When: April 22, 2017 Thoughts: This is a real fun fight in the UFC’s lightweight division. The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 competitor Lauzon last earned a split-decision victory over Marcin Held, and he aims to make it two in a row against Scotland’s Ray, who is coming off a split-decision win himself over Ross Pearson and seeks his own two fight winning streak. I think this matchup has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it, considering the fact that Lauzon usually walks away with those, and Ray generally delivers entertaining performances. Stylistically, I believe this pair produces fireworks much more often than not, which makes this a battle I very much look forward to in the upcoming month. Although Lauzon still appears to be getting better, this is a ‘new school versus old school’ bout, as Ray is a surging prospect at 155 pounds.
