Four months left in the year 2015, and the UFC’s calendar continues to fill up. Here are my thoughts on some recently booked match-ups… Fight: Paddy Holohan vs Louis Smolka Card: UFC Fight Night 76 Where: Saitama, Japan When: October 24, 2015 Thoughts: I love this fight. I think these flyweights are going to put on a show when they square off against each other inside the Octagon. Both fighters are 3-1 in the UFC and currently enjoying two fight winning streaks, looking to extend it to three against each other. On a stacked fight card in Saitama, this is one scrap I will very much be looking forward to. In a razor thin division where a title shot could potentially go to anybody, a win here would mean a lot for either flyweight, as it would put ’em right in the mix for title contention. Fight: Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm Card: UFC 193 Where: Melbourne, Australia When: November 15, 2015 Thoughts: Robbie Lawler suffered a thumb injury, therefore his UFC 193 main event title fight against challenger Carlos Condit has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date. Filling the empty slot will be Rousey vs Holm, a fight that was supposed to take place two months later at UFC 195 in Las Vegas. This fight immediately becomes tougher for Holm, as she now has half the time to prepare, and now has the deal with the long flight to Australia and the jetlag that comes with it. Rousey and Holm are stepping up to save this card, and for Rousey fans, it’s very good news, because now you’re getting her a couple of months earlier than expected. Despite Rousey making drastic improvemens in her striking, I believe Holm to be the superior striker and see this as a classic “striker vs grappler” match-up. Rousey just stood toe to toe with another striker in Bethe Correia and knocked her out within seconds. Now she is taking a big step up in competition in the form of Holly Holm, and I am interested to seeing if she will opt to stand and trade with her to make yet another statement inside the Octagon. Holm is 2-0 in the UFC and is getting this title shot following two unimpressive decision victories. That said, I think she is the most talented and dangerous opponent Rousey has been pitted against in her professional mixed martial arts career. Fight: Frankie Edgar vs Chad Mendes Card: TUF 22 Finale Where: Las Vegas, NV When: December 11, 2015 Thoughts: I did not expect the UFC to put this fight together and was somewhat surprised to see it booked. I love the match-up and cannot wait to see it. The winner will very likely go on to face the winner of Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor for the UFC’s feaherweight title. This is a fight I am going to personally make an attempt to go see live, as I think it has all the makings of being an instant classic. Both 145-pounders have a lot on the line heading into this five round main event contest, and the winner should be next in line for a shot at the cold. Fight: Warlley Alves vs Colby Covington Card: UFC 194 Where: Las Vegas, NV When: December 12, 2015 Thoughts: Somebody’s ‘0’ has got to go! Two very talented and undefeated welterweight prospects face off in this match-up, and I am very much itching for this one. On a stacked card filled with exciting bouts, this is one of the scraps I will be looking most forward to. The winner of this match-up will move up the UFC’s welterweight ladder, likely drawing a ranked opponent for his next outing. For the loser, it will be a trip back to the drawing board; likely with some lessons learned. Fight: Nate Marquardt vs CB Dolloway Card: UFC on FOX 17 Where: Orlando, FL When: December 19, 2015 Thoughts: I don’t like this fight. I don’t understand this fight. I don’t want to see this fight. Please oh please, keep this ‘crap scrap’ off the nationally broadcasted main card.
