We are now more than half-way through 2016 and the UFC’s calendar continues to fill up. Here are my thoughts on some recently booked match-ups… Fight: Brad Pickett vs Iuri Alcantara Card: UFC Fight Night 93 Where: Hamburg, Germany When: September 3, 2016 Thoughts: Pickett saved his job by snapping a three fight skid and earning a split decision over Francisco Rivera in his latest Octagon outing and he will look to make it two in a row by scoring an upset of Brazil’s Alcantara. I am not sure how I feel about this particular bantamweight match-up. It is an intriguing match-up, I just can’t tell if I like it or not. I think it should be a good fight and I generally look forward to Brad Pickett fights, but this one I am not looking forward to as much. Perhaps it is because I did not want to see him finding himself in the role of the underdog again and was hoping he would get a favorable match-up, however that is not the case and he has a real battle ahead of him in Germany. While I am not eagerly anticipating the contest, I will surely be tuned in, as I know there will likely be fireworks. Fight: Ian McCall vs Ray Borg Card: UFC 203 Where: Cleveland, OH When: September 10, 2016 Thoughts: After having his fight against Justin Scoggins scrapped due to weight cutting issued with Scoggins, McCall has been immediately rebooked and will be taking on Borg, who ironically is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Scoggins. I think this should be a fun fight in the UFC’s flyweight division and is a scrap I am looking forward to. The grappling exchanges are what I am most looking forward to, as McCall and Borg are both very talented on the mat. This is a solid last minute addition to the UFC 203 fight card, though I am unsure of the placement of the bout on the card. I could see it being on the main card, FOX Sports 1 prelims or as the featured bout of the Fight Pass prelims. Fight: Augusto Montano vs Belal Muhammad Card: UFC Fight Night 94 Where: Hidalgo, TX When: September 17, 2016 Thoughts: Montano is coming off an extended layoff following a unanimous decision loss to Cathal Pendred more than a year ago and will be looking to get back on track by taking out Muhammad, who recently came up short in his Octagon debut against Alan Jouban. He lost the fight via unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards, ultimately getting his first taste of professional mixed martial arts defeat. I think this is an interesting and solid match-up in the UFC’s welterweight division and is a scrap I am looking forward to. Montano and Muhammad are both talented strikers, so I expect a fun war on the feet in this contest. Be sure to be tuned in for this one, and try not to blink. Fight: Justin Scoggins vs Pedro Munhoz Card: UFC Fight Night 95 Where: Brasilia, Brazil When: September 24, 2016 Thoughts: The aforementioned Scoggins has opted to move up to the UFC’s bantamweight division after having issues making the flyweight limit. He is getting no easy fight his first time out, as he will be traveling to Brazil to take on the very talented Pedro Munhoz on enemy soil. This is a tough test for Scoggins but one he is very capable of passing. This is another interesting match-up, and being a fan of both fighters, I would hate to see either take a loss, but at least I know I’ll be in for a treat, as I expect these two to put on a ‘Fight of the Night’ contender. Fight: Gegard Mousasi vs Vitor Belfort Card: UFC 204 Where: Manchester, England When: October 8, 2016 Thoughts: Mousasi has been asking to fight Vitor Belfort since the day he signed his UFC contract and now he finally gets his wish. I very much look forward to this middleweight tilt.
