We are just about done with 2017, and the UFC’s 2018 calendar continues to fill up. Here are my thoughts on some recently booked matchups…
Fight: Dennis Bermudez vs. Andre Fili
Card: UFC on FOX 27
Where: Charlotte, NC
When: January 27
Thoughts: This is a rare “winner versus loser” matchup in the UFC’s featherweight division, with Bermudez coming off a first round knockout at the hands of Chan Sung Jung and Fili coming off a unanimous decision nod over Artem Lobov. I think this is a solid scrap at 145 pounds and has the potential of securing the evening’s ‘Fight of the Night honors, as both featherweights love to put on a show for the fans and fight for the finish. They are both fun to watch and I think this matchup is a stylistic recipe for fireworks, so this is one fight I will be looking forward to this winter.
Fight: Damien Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Card: UFC 221
Where: Perth, Australia
When: February 11, 2018
Thoughts: Coming off losses, both ot these lightweights will be looking to get their hand raised, and I believe they will each be looking for a knockout victory in their efforts to do so. Brown and Kim are no strangers to ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses in their short UFC careers, and I believe that if they do in this matchup what they normally do, they will each likely be walking away with another $50,000 for their efforts. I love this matchup and believe it is an excellent recipe for fireworks. It is a terrific addition to the preliminary card for UFC 221 in Perth.
Fight: Alan Jouban vs. Ben Saunders
Card: UFC on FOX 28
Where: Orlando, FL
When: February 24, 2018
Thoughts: This welterweight matchup pits two friends against each other in the form of Jouban and Saunders. Both fighters are 10th Planet guys who train under Eddie Bravo. If Bravo is in anybody’s corner for this matchup, I believe it will be Saunders, as he is more of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu protege, whereas Jouban is a striker who only flirts with grappling. This matchup could go two ways; they can both look for the finish and deliver an exciting fight, as they should both be aware of the others not-so-good chins. Also I’m sure Saunders feels he has the grappling advantage, so he may look for the early tapout finish, as well. The other likely outcome I see is both fighters feeling each other out for 15 minutes and not putting on much of a fight, as they are friends and may not want to harm one another too badly.
