Chris Lytle seemed to think that he could bring his standard boxing offense and dispose of UFC newcomer Brian Ebersole.  Ebersole proved otherwise with a funky offense featuring half cartwheel kicks, solid takedowns, and strong foot movement to dodge Lytle’s right-handed haymakers.  Ebersole looked more and more comfortable and clearly the stronger fighter as the rounds passed.  Lytle actually would have had a better chance against his originally planned opponent, Carlos Condit, in a more traditional pocket-boxing affair.  Congrats to Ebersole in his debut.

Big props to Dennis Siver.  I fully expected George Sotiropoulos to find a way to get the fight on the mat and work a submission.  Siver dropped GS in round one, stuffed takedowns in rounds two and three and never seemed all that threatened by the Australian.  Siver imposed his kickboxing while GS never had a chance to open his ground game tool kit against the German.

I had predicted Michael Bisping would beat Jorge Rivera, but due to points in a three round decision.  Instead, we saw the most convincing version of Bisping in his last four fights.  He was faster, more precise with his blows and showed a killer finish at the end.  There was some controversy when Bisping drilled Rivera with a knee to the head while he was on his knees, drawing a point deduction.  However, I think Bisping proved to be the more versatile and complete fighter as round two proceeded.  Bisping didn’t want this fight, yet it provided the perfect showcase for the Brit to dominate and sets him up for a marquee bout the next time out.

The main event was a very close fight, yet I do believe Jon Fitch won round two closely and dominated round three to give him the win by a score of 29-27.  Not to be.  Two of the three judges saw the fight 28-28 generating a draw … leaving nobody happy.  The most surprising element to this fight was Penn’s decision in the beginning of rounds one and two to rush Fitch and engage in the clinch on the fence and proceed to go for takedowns.  While he succeeded at this, in part, in each round, this was not taking the fight to where Penn had his best advantage.  I thought Penn should have tried to keep the fight in the standing, boxing realm for as long as possible in each round.  Penn’s hands are far better than Fitch’s hands and I expected him to try and fight the fight where he has the greatest advantage.  Additionally, once again, I think cardio played a role, per Penn, in round three as Fitch came out and connected with a right hand, took Penn down, and beat him up for all five minutes of the round.  This was the most dominant either fighter was in any round and showed Fitch to be the stronger combatant at the end.

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Your thoughts.  What did you take away from UFC 127?

If any UFC 127 fighter’s life is ripe to be made into a movie it is the story of Jorge Rivera. A stunning knockout of Michael Bisping in Australia would certainly sweeten the script for any Hollywood suit on the fence.

Why Jorge Rivera?

He grew up suffering discrimination in Milford, MA as part of the only Puerto Rican family in his area.  He admits he made some mistakes as a teenager, which landed him in jail.  He had his first child as a young man as he turned to MMA after his time in prison.  As his MMA career took off with the UFC he grew apart from his first daughter who was living with her mother.  At seventeen, that daughter – Janessa Rivera, died from complications from her birth control medication.  Despite this terrible tragedy, Rivera has valiantly won his last three fights after her death and often mentions the presence of his daughter after each victory.  Now, an old man, by MMA standards at 38, Rivera has his highest profile fight against a UFC star in Britain’s Michael Bisping.

It is a hardscrabble story of overcoming the odds and great life tragedy to find inner peace, fame and riches through sport.

If you watched the UFC 127 preview show on Spike TV, you can understand why the producers devoted the most time to Rivera’s story.  He comes across as a man who was flawed and made mistakes early, suffered great heartbreak in his personal life, yet has persevered to find success in his sport.  Now, he has the biggest stage of his life to show the world of MMA, at the end of his career, if he has one final push of greatness, which can overcome the younger and flashier opponent in Michael Bisping.

Heck, a thousand movies have been green-lit with 1/10^th of the guts of this story.  It mixes themes we all identify with in our own way from loss to redemption wrapped in the compelling drama of a Mixed Martial Artist striving for glory.

Rivera is a street guy and some of that has come through in his pre-fight trash talk, no doubt.  But you can also see a man who has lived, has suffered, and fought in and out of the cage on many levels, but has come through the fire.  He may still be coming through the fire yet with a massive chance to wow us all at UFC 127.  How can’t one root for such a man?

Will this story have a rosy end with Rivera beating Bisping, winning a title belt, and living happily ever after … probably not.  But, it is about the life struggle.  And Rivera has shined in battling the struggle, no matter how things go in Australia.

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What do you think of Jorge Rivera?  Should his life become a movie?

Kyle Noke vs. Chris Camozzi: This is a pretty tough fight to pick. Both men are on four-fight win-streaks, both have only lost a handful of times, and both men are pretty versatile. Camozzi has four (T)KO’s, five submissions, and five decisions, while Noke has six (T)KO’s, seven submissions, and five decisions. It’s going to be a tough brawl, but based on the level of competition he’s fought and beaten, I’m picking Kyle Noke to win via Unanimous Decision.

Chris Lytle vs. Brian Ebersole: Brian Ebersole won’t make it easy, but in the end I just think that there’s no stopping Chris Lytle. Lytle may have lost more times, but Ebersole has been submitted nine times and Lytle has 19 submission wins on his record, this despite the fact that Lytle always shows up to bang and has some pretty heavy hands. Everyone seems to sleep on Lytle’s ground game, and I think Ebersole’s susceptibility to submissions will result in Chris Lytle taking a submission win in Round 2.

George Sotiropoulos vs. Dennis Siver: Dennis Siver is a quality match-up for anybody, but against George Sotiropoulos, I just don’t think he has what it takes. George is quickly shaping up to be the next big can’t-miss prospect at Lightweight, and he’s gone a long way towards realizing that destiny with several impressive victories that have really shown his growth into a complete Mixed Martial Artist, rather than just a submission specialist. But since Siver has lost a majority of his fights by submission (four of seven), I’m calling for a classic “G-Sot” performance that ends with a first round submission.

Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera: I hate to say what I’m about to say, because I’ve really become a fan of Jorge Rivera thanks to his hilarious, bust-a-gut video interviews where he mocks Michael Bisping. But I just don’t think Rivera is on Bisping’s level. Part of me hopes he proves me wrong, but a larger part of me knows that Bisping fights hardest when he has a chip on his shoulder. The last time Bisping was this fired up was after he had gotten KO’d by Dan Henderson and wanted to prove that he was still a force at Middleweight. He proceeded to dominate and TKO the once-feared Denis Kang and send him right out of the UFC. With this in mind, I think Bisping will catch an overly-aggressive Rivera and TKO him in Round 1.

BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch: So it finally comes down to this: after weeks of speculation it’s now time for me to definitively choose a side. I’m a big fan of both BJ Penn and Jon Fitch, and this is honestly one of those fights where I really wish that neither man had to lose. But I’ve been siding with Fitch from the get-go, and in spite of recent developments, it’s Fitch that I’m going to stay with. Fitch will grind out BJ Penn and deplete his cardio to the point where we’ll see the same defeated, exhausted Penn we saw during the later rounds of Penn’s second battle with Georges St. Pierre. Jon Fitch will win this fight by Unanimous Decision.

And that’s it for me, fans and friends. But what about you? Who’ve you got winning, and why, for UFC 127 “Penn vs. Fitch”?

5. Four free fights, two on Facebook and two on ION Television.

Does it really get any better than that? If you’re of the mind to do so, you’re basically getting two free, full hours of MMA action in addition to the normal UFC Pay-Per-View broadcast. The UFC definitely knows how to give back to its fans, and the great thing about this is that the free fights have plenty of potential even if you have no idea who’s fighting who. Free MMA on TV plus good MMA on TV equals a major reason to watch UFC 127.

4. The continuing evolution of George Sotiropoulos.

Sotiropoulos is on a fantastic eight-fight win-streak with seven of those wins occurring inside the world’s most prestigious Mixed Martial Arts organization. But Sotiropoulos faces a very tough threat in the form of Dennis Siver, Siver has won four of his last five fights and has several “Of The Night” honors to his credit. This is exactly the kind of test Sotiropoulos needs right now, with the UFC needing just a bit more proof before they book him as the next major threat at Lightweight. If he wins and wins decisively at UFC 127, expect George Sotiropoulos to become a championship contender before the year is through.

3. Is Chris Lytle really ready for top-division status?

I’m disappointed that Carlos Condit had to pull out of this fight, but Brian Ebersole is no throw-away opponent. Ebersole is a tough veteran with a gigantic 44-14-1-1 record, but most recently, he’s won his last seven fights. It wouldn’t be the first time that a tough newcomer upset the heavy favorite, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about Chris Lytle possibly losing this bout. If “Lights Out” can beat Ebersole, he’ll take one big, important step closer to this latest run towards championship relevancy.

2. Can Jorge Rivera really beat Michael Bisping?

This is the million-dollar question when it comes to this fight, isn’t it? Rivera has been striking comedic gold for the past several weeks with his hilarious YouTube videos, but that’s come at a price: Bisping now wants to knock Rivera’s head off. Can Rivera really hang with a fighter that’s consistently hovered around the top of his division for the last several years? Or were his interviews, as vastly entertaining as they were, simply a matter of all show and no go?

And my number one reason to watch UFC 127 is…

1. Does Penn have another title run in him? Can Fitch really beat one of the best in the sport?

If Rivera/Bisping was the million-dollar question, I suppose those are the billion-dollar questions. BJ Penn and Jon Fitch are both at crucial parts of their careers: Fitch is closer than ever to getting both the title shot and the respect that he’s been hungering for ever since losing to Georges St. Pierre, BJ Penn is on the verge of another dramatic comeback in a career that’s been highlighted by amazing comebacks. It’s a fight between two of the UFC’s best with a whole lot more than just a shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship on the line, and it’s definitely the biggest reason to tune in and watch this show.

So there you have it, fans and friends: five great reasons to tune in and see UFC 127 “Penn vs. Fitch”. What about you? As the date draws ever-closer, what are you most looking forward to for this event?

The Event: UFC 127 “Penn vs. Fitch”, scheduled for February 27, 2011 at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. Because of the time differential, the event will be broadcast live on Pay-Per-View in the United States on February 26, 2011 starting at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT. Two preliminary fights will be streamed live on the UFC’s Facebook page at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT. Two additional preliminary bouts will be shown on the Ion Television network at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT.

Why You Should Care: The card is filled with some of the best of the best when it comes to the UFC’s international talent, and in the main event, BJ Penn and Jon Fitch lock horns to determine the next man to challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship. This is a very important point in both men’s fighting careers, and it isn’t a match that should be missed. Plus, many of the matches simply look like a whole lot of fun on paper.

What to Look Forward to in the Main Event: Both Penn and Fitch are chasing a title shot, but for very different reasons. Penn is all about cementing his legacy, Fitch is all about getting the credit he rightfully deserves. Fitch will come out hungry and look to grind down Penn, Penn will come out fiery and looking to serve up another KO after recently blasting Matt Hughes into unconsciousness. Both men will show up at the top of their game, and it’s going to be a great fight.

What to Look Forward to in the Co-Main Event: For the past several weeks, Michael Bisping and Jorge Rivera have been embroiled in bitter verbal warfare with plenty of mudslinging and much spitting of venom. Both men pretty much hate each other, so look for them to come in trying to knock each other’s heads off. Rivera does not fear Michael Bisping, and he wants to prove that he’s no longer simply a “journeyman” fighter. Bisping wants to prove that Rivera was never on his level and that the UFC needs to start giving him legitimate championship contenders. It’s going to be a fast-paced brawl with neither man giving an inch.

Why You Should Watch This Card: It’s simply loaded with talent, and the potential for good fights is very high. Not only that, but you’re getting four free preliminary fights across Facebook and ION Television. Even if you disregard the main and co-main events, you’ve still got big names like George Sotiropoulos, Chris Lytle, and more. This is one of the UFC’s best international events by far.

Why You Shouldn’t Watch This Card: I honestly can’t think of any real reason to give this show a pass. You may not be a Jon Fitch fan, he’s certainly got his fair share of detractors, but the sheer quality of all the other fights makes this one event that’s difficult to pass up. This card really does have a “something for everybody” feel.

Closing Thoughts: I’m very excited for this event, and I think it’s going to be one of the year’s best shows. The UFC is already off to an amazing 2011, and this show will more than likely continue that trend. Mixed Martial Arts in general seems to be having a banner year, so I’m incredibly optimistic about where the sport is going as we head into Spring 2011.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends! What about you? What’s your opinion on UFC 127?

5. Bisping has fought (and beat) better competition recently.

Rivera is on a three-fight win-streak compared to Bisping’s two-fight win-streak, but Bisping has definitely fought better competition both in general and recently. Bisping’s last two conquests were against Yoshihiro Akiyama and Dan Miller, Rivera’s were against Nate Quarry and Rob Kimmons. Bisping has been competing at a high level for quite some time now, for Rivera, this is his chance to get on the level Bisping is already at.

4. Rivera hasn’t fought in nearly a year.

The last time Jorge Rivera stepped into the cage was in March 2010. And as I’ve said many times in regards to many different fighters, “ring rust” is very real. Any fighter, regardless of their past glories, can have a tough time getting back into the flow of things after a prolonged absence. And that “ring rust” factor will definitely be multiplied by the fact that Bisping is one of the elite in the UFC’s Middleweight division. Wining your return bout is hard enough, winning it against Michael Bisping will be one of the toughest tests of Jorge Rivera’s career.

3. Michael Bisping likes to knock people out too.

Jorge Rivera has a lot of (T)KO’s on his record, but so does Michael Bisping. In fact, both men actually have the same number of (T)KO wins on their records: twelve. Bisping has plenty of killer instinct still left in him, and now that he’s closer than ever to getting the title shot that has eluded him throughout his UFC career, he’ll come into this fight looking to separate Rivera’s head from his shoulders. A motivated Michael Bisping is a scary Michael Bisping.

2. When Rivera fights opponents at or near the top, he loses.

Let’s take a look at some of the famous names Rivera has fought and lost to: Martin Kampmann, Chris Leben, Rich Franklin, Anderson Silva… all of whom are pretty big stars in the UFC. Rivera has fought for upper-division status and championship relevancy in the past… and he’s lost. And while the cynics may argue where Bisping figures in the Middleweight rankings, you simply can’t deny that Bisping has floated around at or near the top of his division for the past several years.

And the number one reason Michael Bisping could beat Jorge Rivera is because…

1. Jorge Rivera is almost forty.

There is only one “ageless wonder” in the UFC. It’s not Jorge Rivera. Now more and more it seems that forty is the new cut-off date that all fighters should dread, the birthday that signals the beginning of the end and the degradation of both their bodies and their skills. Bisping may be the biggest threat Jorge Rivera has ever faced in the Octagon, but Rivera’s number one enemy right now is Father Time.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. What about you? Bisping vs. Rivera: who’ve you got and why?

In a new interview with The Independent, “The Count” had this to say regarding his fight with Rivera: “Rivera’s a [expletive] dork… He can try and make himself relevant by talking [expletive] and doing stupid videos. I make myself relevant by constantly fighting the best in the world… Obviously Jorge hasn’t written any of that himself because the guy hasn’t got two brain cells to rub together. I doubt he can even read… The guy’s 38 years old. You’d think he’d grow up and mature… It’s all pathetic garbage. He should spend less time making videos and more time in the gym.”

Heading into his UFC 127 bout with Rivera, Bisping is on a two-fight win-streak with big victories over Dan Miller and Yoshihiro Akiyama. Meanwhile, Jorge Rivera is on a three-fight win-streak and comes into this fight with Bisping on the heels of back-to-back TKO victories inside the Octagon.

I’ve watched several of Jorge Rivera’s videos on Michael Bisping, and even as a Bisping fan I have to admit that they have a witty charm and a great sense of humor that is all their own. I think Rivera has definitely struck a nerve and may be inside Bisping’s head. Bisping is a great trash-talker, but it really seems like Rivera is just blowing him out of the water. If you haven’t seen any of Rivera’s pre-fight diss videos, you should definitely track them down.

I honestly think it’s a little backwards to accuse Rivera of being a dork and say it like it’s a bad thing. I’m actually quite proud to be a dork, and for that matter, aren’t we all a bit dorky since we’re part of the hardcore MMA scene? In a way, Bisping even took a shot at a section of his fanbase by insulting Rivera for being a dork. I’m talking about fans like me, the fans that like Bisping because they can see past his bravado and boasting and focus on how he’s a quality fighter that shows a lot of heart, finesse, and technique whenever he steps into a cage. If you can appreciate the finer aspects of the fight game, the kind of aspects that let you appreciate a fighter like Bisping even though he’s always spitting venom, then you’re pretty much at least somewhat dorky.

So why is that a bad thing? I let my dork flag fly free, and I actually think that Bisping may be grasping at straws because, for the first time in a long time, someone is getting the better of him when it comes to pre-fight trash-talk. I’m still a fan of Bisping, but I’d be lying if I said that Rivera’s videos hadn’t won me over. It’s certainly going to be a very interesting fight.

And what about you, fans and friends? What do you make of Rivera’s videos and Bisping’s reaction to them?

The phenomenal Brazilian striker has defended his middleweight title a record seven times, and currently enjoys the longest win streak inside the octagon with twelve consecutive victories.

He holds victories as a light heavyweight in the UFC, most notably knocking out former champion Forrest Griffin, one of the division’s biggest men, inside of the first round.

And while Silva has Vitor Belfort next on deck at UFC 126 this February, he still takes the time in reveling in what might come after next. So what does the Muay Thai specialist desire? A fight with “The Ultimate Fighter” season three winner Michael Bisping, and in the UK no less.

Silva was recently interviewed by ESPN UK where the usually soft-spoken champion had lots to say about his desire to return to England, where he initially became the Cage Rage middleweight title holder with a victory over the infamous Lee “Lightning” Murray.

“The British fans are very knowledgeable and passionate about MMA. I would love to fight there once more”, said the 35-year-old, who has not visited the UK since April of 2006 when he knocked out UFC veteran Tony Fryklund with an amazing uppercut-elbow strike.

While Anderson is world renowned, and often times regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, there isn’t a man in England who doesn’t know the name Michael Bisping. A virtual rock star in his country, “The Count” has become a staple for the UFC in marketing their overseas events. In fact, Michael has made an appearance on 6 of the organization’s 9 events it’s held in the UK, taking main event honors in two of them.

“Michael Bisping is very impressive”, said the Team Blackhouse representative.

“He’s been in the UFC for a long time now and beaten some very good fighters. It would be an honor to fight him, perhaps in England.

“He is fast, is very busy and makes adjustments quickly. I am the champion of the world, not just Brazil or America. Being a world champion means taking on the best fighters from around the world all over the world.

“If the chance came I would like to fight Bisping in the UK if that’s what the UFC put together.”

Looks like Silva is campaigning for his next fight already before he gets a hold of Vitor Belfort, who’s next on deck for “The Spider” in Las Vegas on Feb. 5–though don’t get it twisted, Silva is the last man to underestimate any opponent, especially after his close encounter with Chael Sonnen in his last outing at UFC 117.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of Anderson’s wishes to face Bisping? Certainly it would do big numbers as far as a large gate for fan’s to see there in the UK, since the Englishman have not been able to witness a title fight live at the O2 Arena since a title unification bout pitting Quinton Jackson against Dan Henderson at UFC 75, which was more then three years ago. Sound off in the comment section below.

5. Demian Maia

After several big “fall from grace” moments that came in the form of a KO loss to Nate Marquardt and a humiliating Unanimous Decision loss to Anderson Silva, it appears that Demian Maia has finally begun to win back some of the luster he had when he first entered the UFC and was being hailed as the next Royce Gracie. Stann has only been submitted once, but he’s never faced an expert the caliber of Maia. This fight would prove that Stann is well-rounded enough to overcome any threat in all areas of the MMA game, because make no mistake, Maia is still an ace on the ground and his stand-up continues to show noticeable improvement.

4. Alan Belcher

This fight would test Stann’s adaptability and especially his takedown defense. It would be entertaining, of that there can be no doubt, because Belcher has no problem making it a brawl if you want to make it a brawl. The test for Stann, however, lies not in who brawls the best, but what he’ll do if and when Belcher feels that he’d stand a better chance of winning the fight by taking Stann down. If Stann can deal with Belcher’s strong takedowns and his brawling prowess, he’d set himself up for several major match-ups in the future.

3. Michael Bisping

We know Brian Stann can beat Chris Leben, but we also know that, for all intents and purposes, Michael Bisping is a better version of Chris Leben. Bisping has better Octagon control, more precise punches, and a very good ground game. Much like Leben, Bisping is also on a pretty good win-streak right now and once again he’s flirting with top-division status. If Stann puts another halt to another good win-streak, he’ll have earned a sizeable amount of credibility with the UFC top brass, who will most likely begin taking him seriously as a true top-division threat.

2. Nate Marquardt

I think we’ve all been forced to realize that Nate Marquardt shines against mid-level competition but consistently falters when matched up against high-level threats. More than any other fight, this one would prove which of those two classes of fighters Stann belongs to. If Stann isn’t ready for the absolute best, Marquardt should be able to beat him and perhaps even beat him dramatically. But if Stann is a true championship contender, he’ll prove that by beating Marquardt.

And my #1 pick for Brian Stann’s next opponent is…

1. Wanderlei Silva

I admit that this is the Wanderlei Silva fanboy in me talking. A lot of people have taken to calling out Wanderlei recently, now that he’s established some credibility in the Middleweight division by scoring a thrilling victory over Michael Bisping. I think Wanderlei vs. Stann would be an epic brawl that would only end with one man face-down on the canvas and out cold. Even though Silva is still in the process of finding himself in the crowded UFC Middleweight division, this fight has the most potential to be exhilarating, entertaining, and a firm step in the right direction for whomever ends up winning it.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. What about you? What do you think of Brian Stann, and who would you like to see him fight in the future?

A new blog post on The Telegraph has got the rumor mill churning again, as journalist Gareth A. Davies recently said the following: “Also in Australia, Zuffa are looking at an Oz v England Ultimate Fighter series. They could call it ‘Ultimate Ashes’. There is a ton of interest here. Australia and England are natural rivals and have been so for a very long time in cricket and rugby. A TUF series between UK and Oz could run and run.”

There seems to be a bit of a negative reaction going around the internet towards this latest development, and there also seems to be two major schools of thought as to why this wouldn’t work. First and foremost, there’s the problem of coaches. There are a few high-level Australian fighters and British fighters in the UFC, but none of them can face each other because they’re in different weight divisions. And the possible British/Australian match-ups that could happen are between fighters who aren’t really at a high enough level to justify a coaching gig.

This I understand and, to be bluntly honest, completely agree with. The UFC simply doesn’t have enough top British or Australian stars to justify this kind of series, even if it would drum up a lot of interest based on the rivalry between the two countries. Just off the top of your head, name a big Aussie star and a big British star in the UFC. If you’re like me, your mind immediately warped to George Sotiropoulos and Michael Bisping. They’re definitely big stars, of that there can be no doubt, but the simple fact of the matter is that Sotiropoulos is a Lightweight and Michael Bisping is a Middleweight who once fought at Light Heavyweight. Bisping would either have to starve himself or Sotiropoulos would have to dine on a diet of double cheeseburgers in order for that fight to ever materialize.

The other school of thought is, dare I say it, a bit xenophobic. People have been complaining that they don’t want to watch an entire series of TUF focused on foreigners with their funny foreign accents. To which I say: get over yourselves. I’m one of those fans that don’t understand why the UFC subtitles Brits or Aussies to begin with. I’ve never really had a problem dealing with their accent, I mean, we live in a world of accents, just in the US alone. We already had a “Team US vs. Team UK” season, and for my money, it was a refreshing departure from the norm and gave us some really interesting drama. And I never once wondered what the Brits were saying.

So while I may be a fan of the “country vs. country” dynamic, since I think it brings out the best in the fighters representing their country while also giving us fans plenty of “must-see TV” moments, I just don’t think the time is right for a “Team UK vs. Team Australia” edition of TUF. I’d watch it if they made one, sure, but as it stands, there’s just too many factors that have no easy solution. But am I wrong here, fans and friends? What are your thoughts on a possible “Team UK vs. Team Australia” season of “The Ultimate Fighter”?

MMA Weekly brings word from a huge Australian press conference where UFC Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik recently made the card official. While anything can happen between now and February, currently the card stands as follows: Jon Fitch vs. B.J. Penn, Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera, Dennis Siver vs. George Sotiropoulos, Chris Camozzi vs. Kyle Noke, Carlos Condit vs. Chris Lytle, Alexander Gustafsson vs. James Te Huna, Tom Blackledge vs. Anthony Perosh, Riki Fukuda vs. Nick Ring, Spencer Fisher vs. Ross Pearson, Maciej Jewtuszko vs. Curt Warburton, and Mark Hunt vs. TBA.

I’m looking forward to this card for several big reasons, and I honestly think it has the potential to be an early front-runner for the best UFC event of the year, perhaps even the best MMA event overall of 2011. First and foremost, I’m a massive fan of both Jon Fitch and BJ Penn and I can’t wait to see how their wildly different styles clash. Both men are amazing fighters and are coming off some big wins, and I think if Jon Fitch is able to pass this test, he’ll finally be given his long-awaited and long-overdue rematch with Georges St. Pierre.

I’m also looking forward to this card because I’m a big fan of Michael Bisping, and I think he’s going to KO Jorge Rivera. Rivera is an experienced veteran who’s on a good win-streak right now, but Bisping has always been hovering around top-division status and Rivera is clearly a middle-of-the-road somewhat-threat. Bisping has proven dangerous against top competition even if he’s lost to a few of them, so I think UFC 127 will be an important step for Bisping’s career as he grabs up another huge and convincing win.

I’m also a growing fan of George Sotiropoulos, and I think he’s definitely the next major threat at Lightweight. I was a bit hesitant to get behind him thanks to what I like to call the “Magic Submission Pants”, but his recent performances have proven that Sotiropolous is a great fighter no matter what he’s wearing. The clothes don’t make the man, Sotiropoulos could show up to an MMA event stark naked and probably still dominate his opponent… not that anyone would want him to, of course, I simply say this as a converted fan.

And finally, I’m a big fan of Chris Lytle. I’ve been a fan of his for quite some time, in the past, I’ve even said that my often-used and much-loved term “dark horse favorite” originated with Chris Lytle. If Lytle beats Condit he may finally step into the “promised land” and achieve top-division status. For someone who’s battled his way through the UFC for so many years, I can admit that it’d certainly be unexpected to see Chris Lytle finally emerge as a legitimate Welterweight contender in 2011. Unexpected… but certainly not impossible. So I’ll be pulling for “Lights Out” in a major way, and I wish him all the best.

So there you have it, fans and friends. For several reasons, UFC 127 is shaping up to be my can’t-miss event of the year. What about you? What are your early opinions on the card?

“…It’s going to be Jorge Rivera, co-main event I’m led to believe, Australia, 27^th of February, at the Acer Arena… I was after a higher-profile opponent, I asked for Nate Marquardt… If it’s going to be Jorge Rivera, then it’s gonna have to be Jorge Rivera… He’s been around a long time, he’s on a good win-streak at the moment, he’s a solid opponent… I don’t know what his problem is. He’s just another ***hole that’s going to get beat… His manager can kiss my *** as well… 27^th of February, Jorge’s going to get battered.”

I’m looking forward to this match for several reasons. First and foremost, I think both these fighters shine brightest when they’re put against someone who can really bring the fight to them. Both men have a majority of their wins by (T)KO, in fact, they even have the same number of (T)KO victories (twelve). However, I think this fight favors Michael Bisping for several reasons.

First and foremost, if this is a match where both men are looking for the KO and won’t mind the danger of getting KO’d themselves in order to nail their punches, that kind of match favors Bisping. Rivera has been (T)KO’d four times in his career, Bisping has been knocked unconscious only once. Bisping’s lone KO is far more famous than any of Rivera’s, but that’s beside the point. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that anyone would have been KO’d in Bisping’s position: walking right into the power shot of PRIDE FC legend Dan Henderson. But aside from the KO from “Hendo”, Bisping has displayed a fantastic chin, while Rivera’s has failed him on more than one occasion.

I think age will also play an important factor in this match. Bisping is seven years younger than Rivera, and Rivera is coming dangerously close to the dreaded forty-year-old cutoff date, since it’s generally assumed that a Mixed Martial Artist has passed their peak by the time they’re forty. Of course there are obvious exceptions to that unofficial rule, but Jorge Rivera is no Randy Couture, and 2011 will mark the tenth year that Rivera has competed as a professional Mixed Martial Artist.

So it should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that I’m picking Michael Bisping to win this fight. I have a lot of respect for Jorge Rivera, but Bisping is a terrible opponent for him. Bisping is energetic, a tactician, a strong puncher, an under-rated grappler, and in the midst of a pretty decent little comeback. It probably won’t be easy, at the very least it’s unlikely that Bisping will outright dominate Rivera, but I do think that Bisping will walk away with the win. And I look forward to the increasingly-bitter verbal war that this fight will almost surely produce. Because I’m almost positive that it’s going to get a whole lot worse before all is said and done.

And what about you, fans and friends? Now that it’s about as official as official gets, what do you make of Jorge Rivera vs. Michael Bisping?

Bisping spoke in his personal blog that he has been approached about fighting on the February card at ufc 127, but that no opponent had been discussed.

Following his brief stint in Germany, Jorge Rivera disclosed that preliminary talks were in place for a match up against Bisping for the Australia card. Jorge’s opponent at UFC 122 in Oberhausen, Alessio Sakara, had pulled out at the last minute of their co-main event slot due to illness.

Now, both Bisping and Jorge will look to climb the ladder of the middleweight division with a win over one another.

“I really, really want this next fight,” Rivera said while speaking with kimura.se, who first caught win of the news of the middleweight fight. “I not only want the fight, I want to (expletive) him up.”

Rivera has since went on to say that should the match come to fruition, he promises a knockout victory, which took Bisping by surprise since he never caught wind of the news.

“A certain someone who was supposed to fight recently but didn’t has been talking (expletive) about me,” said ‘The Count’.

“He says that we’re going to fight soon. I don’t know if that is to be the case or not. I haven’t spoken to my manager”.

MMAJunkie.com has confirmed with sources close to the promotion that verbal agreements are in place for the bout, which could take co-main event honors serving as the lead in for a headlining bout between former champion BJ Penn in a bout against the consensus number two welterweight Jon Fitch.

Both Rivera and Bisping are riding a wave of momentum into their potential meeting, but more so “El Conquistador” who in March finished off former title challenger Nate Quarry via TKO inside the second round, and has since gone three-straight inside the octagon.

Bisping, mean while, is coming off of successive unanimous decision victories over tough opponents in Dan Miller and in his most recent performance, Yoshihiro Akiyama before his fellow countryman at UFC 120, which took place in London, England.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the bout? Should the winner earn a title shot with a win over one another, or are they still a ways away? Who do you favor in this bout? Sound off in the comment section below.

Though he’s been riding high in a rebirth of his UFC career, where he is now riding a three-fight win streak inside the octagon, which is the first time he has been able to do so in his career, he has had a hard time setting up a fight.

His last victory, a big one at that, came in the form of a second-round TKO victory over former title challenger Nate Quarry last March at “UFC Fight Night 21″, but since then “El Matador” has had two failed bouts come to fruition against fellow resurgent middleweight, Alessio Sakara.

After a shoulder injury forced him out of his first bout with Sakara at UFC 118 in Boston, the UFC execs attempted to put the fight together for a second time at UFC 122, which took place in Oberhausen, Germany earlier this month. Sakara and Rivera were set to co-headline the event, however a late illness fell upon Alessio and the fight was canceled again.

According to Jorge following the UFC 122 proceedings, he would next face season three winner of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Michael Bisping at UFC 127, which takes place at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia on Feb. 27.

However, “The Count” has still mulled over the bout and has not signed his bout agreement. But if he does, it’s a fight that Rivera promises will end in a knockout. Can you guess who he’s pulling for?

“I promise you that I’m going to come to fight,” said Rivera while speaking with Sherdog.com. “If Michael Bisping comes to fight, then we’re going to have a good fight. … I know it will make for a good fight. I think I can knock him out. I think I have what it takes to keep him standing and to knock him out.”

Jorge believes the edge in the stand up belongs to him, mostly because he feels Bisping lacks the power at 185-pounds, even after having dropped from the light heavyweight division, where he spent his first 15 fights.

“I don’t think he commits to his punches as much,” said the 38-year-old. “I don’t think he hits as hard. I don’t think he’s committed to the striking as much. I think my pressure’s a little stronger and I commit to my punches more.

So the challenge has been set, Jorge now is just biding his time for Bisping to commit.

MMA peeps, what do you make of the match up? Who do you favor? Does Jorge hold the advantage? Sound off in the comment section below.

After a match up between fellow contender Alessio Sakara had been botched not once, but twice, you could understand how frustrated the Massachusetts native would be.

At the age of 38 and with nearly 10 years clocked into the mixed martial arts world, it’s now or never for Rivera. With his most recent resurgence, another win or two over credible opponents will make him an attractive challenger to the middleweight title. But first, Jorge must get through Michael Bisping.

UFC 118, Jorge pulled out of the proposed bout with Sakara due to a broken arm. No worries, you could chalk that up to some bad luck, and a “live to fight another day” scenario.

Then, a rematch was signed, sealed, and delivered at UFC 122–but with just a few hours to go (on fight day nonetheless), Sakara fell ill and the bout was scrapped.

Rather then attempt to reschedule the match for a third time, “El Conquistador” will be called to duty for UFC 127. The event is rumored to be the promotion’s second venture into Australia, and several bouts have been rumored for the card with no official word as of late.

However, Rivera himself confirmed the validity of a middleweight match up between himself and season three winner of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Michael Bisping. Rivera spoke with kimura.se following the botched match at UFC 122 in Germany, and MMAJunkie.com has since confirmed the bout with sources close to the fight.

Bisping most recently caught his second win-in-a-row when he defeated former PRIDE star, Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 120 this past October. Michael defeated the Korean star by unanimous decision and also credits Dan Miller to his recent winning streak.

Rivera was last seen in action at against former title challenger Nate Quarry last March at “UFC Fight Night 21″, pummeling “The Rock” for a second round TKO victory.

UFC 127 is said to take place once again in Sydney, Australia at the Acer Arena on February 27 of next year.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the news? Good for Rivera picking up a credible opponent for his next bout. If either fighter wins, should he garner a title shot or does he need one more win? Sound off in the comment section below.

According to MMAWeekly, UFC 120’s prime-time tape-delayed showing on Spike TV was watched by an average of 1.9 million fight fans. The report also lists some humbling figures when compared to this event: both UFC 105 and 95, two other British cards shown via tape-delay in the UFC, out-performed this event considerably. 95 had an average of 2.4 million viewers, while 105 saw a big 2.9 million viewers tune in to see Randy Couture take on Brandon Vera.

And in a case of the UFC perhaps being too over-zealous, all twenty UFC 120 performers were handed medical suspensions after the bout according to Sherdog. The UFC controls fighter suspensions from British cards since Britain lacks an athletic commission of the kind that oversees UFC events and handles things like these. The shortest suspension was for only 14 days, with several of those being handed out. Several fighters were suspended for thirty and forty-five days. The report also states that Mike Pyle, Travis Browne, Cheick Kongo, and Rob Broughton have all been handed down six-month suspensions, pending various medical check-ups to properly diagnose the severity of some of the injuries they sustained at the event. Of course, just like normal athletic commission suspensions, these six-month suspensions will be reduced substantially if the fighters are medically cleared.

I’m a bit disheartened that “Bisping vs. Akiyama” under-performed, for the most part I enjoyed the show and was hoping that it would deliver in the ratings. I usually enjoy the UK shows a lot, they’ve got a great atmosphere and a lot of the fighters put on a good performance even if the actual Pay-Per-View card isn’t filled with top-name UFC talent. I suppose some of this could be blamed on the rampant spoilers that were posted online, with ESPN being the main culprit, but still, that kinda sweeps the pre-existing issue with this show under the rug. I think this event is further proof that UFC fans are a fickle bunch and want big stars to justify tuning in, even if the show is free.

In regards to the medical suspensions, I do think that the UFC is being a bit over-protective. However, ultimately that’s a good thing. The UFC is proving that when they’re in charge of taking care of their fighters, they can react accordingly and ensure that no one rushes back into training before their body is fully healed up. Most of the suspensions were brief, so I think the medical suspensions of UFC 120 would have basically flown under the radar had there not been the fact that everyone on the card got suspended.

Overall, I’m thinking UFC 120 was more of a success than a failure even with some lackluster ratings. The UFC once again raked in the green and were rolling in it by the time UFC 120 was over, based on the live attendance and gate attendance numbers. It may not have performed as well in the US, but still, it firmly established that the UK still wants as much UFC as they can get. And in the grand scheme of the UFC’s rapid push for international expansion, that’s a very good thing.

And what about you, fans and friends? What do you make of UFC 120’s ratings and medical suspensions?

5. Demian Maia

If Bisping wants to prove once and for all that he’s truly ready for top-level competition, he needs to face a top-level grappler. Maia has fallen from grace pretty hard, but he’s still a submission expert and Bisping would be in a lot of danger if it ever got to the ground. This fight would be a perfect showcase of Bisping’s well-roundedness if he wins it, so it’s definitely good enough to make this list.

4. Nate Marquardt

This is assuming that Nate Marquardt loses to Yushin Okami at UFC 122. I think a win over Marquardt would be huge for “The Count” and immediately put him into title contention. Marquardt has been looking fantastic in his fights lately; this would be a tough all-out war that would earn Bisping a lot of credibility if he won it.

3. Chris Leben

This is the perfect rematch: both men are at very different points in their careers than when they first met, and both men have displayed some interesting improvements since that first encounter. They’ve always been good strikers, yet we’ve recently seen how well-rounded both men are. This would still be a war, but it would be a lot more technical than I think a lot of people would give both fighters credit for leading up to this second fight.

2. Vitor Belfort

This is assuming that Belfort loses to Anderson Silva at UFC 126. I personally think a win over Belfort as he is now (a resurgent “Phenom”) would be as big for Bisping as a win over Dan Henderson would have been if Bisping beat Henderson at UFC 100. Bisping would enter top-division status with a roar and not a whisper if he managed to take down Vitor Belfort. This would likely be the toughest test for him out of anyone on this list, but it comes in at number two simply because I think my top pick is one that everybody wants to see.

And of course my number one pick goes to…

1. Wanderlei Silva

As a huge fan of Wanderlei Silva, I say this with absolutely no malice: Silva only won the first fight with Bisping because he stole some rounds with his round-ending flurries, and I think Bisping can beat and even KO “The Axe Murderer”. If Bisping fights in a style designed to drain Wanderlei’s energy, and if he avoids any and all flurries towards the end of the round, Bisping will be able to tee off on Silva at will by the third round, and Silva’s chin simply isn’t what it once was. This would be a huge rematch for both men, and I think nothing would erase the errors of the past for Michael Bisping quite like a big win over Wanderlei Silva.

But what about you, fans and friends? Who would you like to see Michael Bisping get in the Octagon against, and what did you think of my picks?

According to Sherdog, the UFC was able to draw 17,133 fans for UFC 120. According to the report, that number is big enough to crack the top ten list of the most-attended UFC events in UFC history, placing at number nine. The event also made in the area of 1.6 million pounds.

Also courtesy of Sherdog, here are the performance bonuses handed out after the event to the standout stars of UFC 120. Carlos Condit earned “Knockout of the Night” for his thunderous KO’ing of Dan Hardy, who had never been KO’d before. Preliminary fighter Paul Sass earned “Submission of the Night” for his win over Mark Holst. “Fight of the Night” went to the three-round war between Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama in the night’s main event. All four fighters were given $60,000 bonuses in addition to their awards.

I think all the ingredients were there for the UFC to deliver another sold-out house, and I’m glad to see that that’s just what they did at UFC 120. The UFC had it all: two big-name British stars, two up-and-coming British stars, and a long layoff from their last event in the UK. I think this show once again demonstrates the crazy drawing power Michael Bisping has in the UK. Love him or hate him, the man has become a boon to the UFC’s international expansion. Expect to see him stay at or near the main event for any and all UK UFC cards for quite some time.

Speaking of Michael Bisping, I wholeheartedly agree with him and his opponent getting the “Fight of the Night” award. Both Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama put on a great performance, and it was by far the night’s most competitive fight. Both men left it all out there in the Octagon, and I’m glad to see that their hard work was rewarded.

I also fully agree with Condit’s KO getting “Knockout of the Night”, I don’t think anything else even came close. In fact, that win was the highlight of the show for me. Honestly, who thought Condit had enough power in his hands to KO Dan Hardy? Hardy had displayed an awesome jaw in every fight beforehand. Condit needed a good win and he got a huge win, this is one KO that’s going onto his highlight reel and staying there forever.

Overall, UFC 120 was a good show and I’m glad it was a resounding success. And what about you, fans and friends? What do you think of the UFC’s (and Michael Bisping’s) drawing power in the UK? And do you disagree with any of the “Of the Night” bonuses?

Next for James Wilks: If it weren’t for the fact that he won a season of “The Ultimate Fightter”, I’d say that James Wilks should begin worrying about whether or not he’ll still be a UFC fighter by 2012. But the UFC has given their TUF winners a lot of second chances, so I think Wilks will head back to the drawing board, get off the main card, and face a step down in competition. Look for Wilks’ next fight to be the opener to a “Fight Night Live” event or on the preliminaries of a PPV card.

Next for Travis Browne: Someone like Antoni Hardonk, a bottom-level UFC Heavyweight that Browne will look good against if he runs right through him. I hate to paint Hardonk in such a negative light, but Browne needs another stepping stone to erase his bad performance at UFC 120. He seemed right on the verge of KO’ing Kongo, but he never fully pulled the trigger. When Kongo started attacking his legs, Browne had no defense and it severely diminished his punching power. Browne is still a work-in-progress, he needs an opponent to reflect that.

Next for Cheick Kongo: Even with a Draw instead of a Loss on his record, I think this fight firmly establishes Cheick Kongo as a divisional gatekeeper. It honestly struck me as one of the worst performances he’s ever given in the UFC. His tentativeness after getting rocked was bad enough, but his blatant cheating was just inexcusable. Kongo needed a big win to remain relevant, what we got was further proof that he’s best used as a warm-up fight for surging Heavyweights with championship potential.

Next for John Hathaway: I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: sometimes a rookie is just a rookie. This loss doesn’t prove that Hathaway was just hype. I still believe that John Hathaway has a bright future in the UFC. This is just a temporary stumbling block. I don’t have any idea who his next opponent might be, but I do think he’ll rebound with a big win. Hathaway has an incredible amount of potential, and while he didn’t realize much of it against Pyle, I think Hathaway’s next fight will firmly set him on the comeback trail.

Next for Carlos Condit: Somebody big, I’m thinking maybe Thiago Alves. Condit has earned his shot at another top-division talent with his thunderous KO of Hardy. I think this fight proved that Condit still has a lot left to give and a lot of gas left in his tank, and I don’t think it’s impossible for him to continue this epic comeback and even challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship before 2011 is over and done with.

Next for Dan Hardy: A mid-level talent looking to establish himself with a big win over a big name like Hardy. Now that “The Outlaw” has lost two straight, look for the UFC to put him in the role of a divisional gatekeeper in his next fight. If he loses again, he may find himself in an unemployment line. If he wins, it’ll be the first step on what I think will be a long road back to divisional relevancy.

Next for Yoshihiro Akiyama: If Akiyama loses again, he’s fired. Of that I have no doubt. Despite how popular he is, the man has consistently had problems with his cardio. I think Akiyama’s job will be in danger even if he wins his next fight, what “Sexyama” needs more than anything right now is to get a huge and incredibly dominant KO or submission on his record. The man is a great fighter that usually produces great fights, but even that isn’t enough to save your job in the UFC nowadays.

Next for Michael Bisping: He wants a rematch with Wanderlei Silva, I say give it to him. I think Bisping can beat Wanderlei Silva, even knock him out, if he just stays focused and isn’t forced into playing Wanderlei’s game. If Bisping can hit smarter and not harder, he can beat Wanderlei. If not Wanderlei, look for Bisping to receive another big name to once again see if he’s ready for top-division fighters.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. Now it’s your turn: what’s next for the winners and losers of UFC 120: “Bisping vs. Akiyama”?

Michael Bisping defeats Yoshihiro Akiyama via Unanimous Decision, Carlos Condit defeats Dan Hardy via KO due to strikes at 4:27 of Round 1, Mike Pyle defeats John Hathaway via Unanimous Decision, Travis Browne and Cheick Kongo fight to a Draw (Kongo was deducted a point for holding Browne’s shorts), Claude Patrick defeats James Wilks via Unanimous Decision, Alexander Gustafsson defeats Cyrille Diabate via submission due to a Rear Naked Choke at 2:41 of Round 2, Rob Broughton defeats Vinicius Quieroz by submission due to a Rear Naked Choke at 1:43 of Round 3, Paul Sass defeats Mark Holst by submission due to a Triangle Choke at 4:45 of Round 1, Spencer Fisher defeats Curt Warburton by Unanimous Decision, and Fabio Maldonado defeats James McSweeney via TKO due to strikes at :48 seconds of Round 3.

I think UFC 120 had a bit of a slow start but really found its niche towards the end. Claude Patrick didn’t put on the performance of a lifetime in his win against James Wilks, but he did seem very dominant and I think he certainly has a bright future in the UFC now that he quite easily dispatched of an “Ultimate Fighter” winner.

However, the second Pay-Per-View fight was a huge black mark on the event. Cheick Kongo put on a downright horrendous performance and blatantly cheated in order to stave off the serious punching power of Travis Browne. Kongo’s knee strikes did sap Browne’s power and succeeded in leveling the playing field after Browne rocked Kongo early on in the fight, but those smartly-timed and very vicious strikes were overshadowed by Kongo constantly holding Browne’s shorts in order to land them. To be bluntly honest, I think both men wilted under pressure and I think dark times are ahead for both fighters.

While I’m sure nobody liked him due to his apparent mile-a-minute mouth leading up to the fight, I was very impressed by Mike Pyle and his downright domination of John Hathaway. In today’s UFC the whole “young gun vs. old warrior” type of fight tends to overwhelmingly favor the young, talented rookie, but sometimes no amount of pure talent can overcome years and years of hard-earned experience. John Hathaway is still jam-packed with potential, but sometimes a rookie is a rookie no matter what his future may hold.

Carlos Condit knocking out Dan Hardy was easily the highlight of the night for me. I think both men were a bit tentative in the early minutes, but they definitely started swinging for the fences and we definitely looked to have on awesome war on our hands. However, Condit simply caught Hardy at the right time, the right moment, and with the right punch. All the ingredients were there, and I think Condit’s stock rose considerably with this win. I think Dan Hardy is down but not out, although it will be interesting to see how his chin reacts to a hard shot going into the future now that Condit has proven that it’s not made of steel.

While Condit vs. Hardy was my favorite moment, Bisping vs. Akiyama was my favorite fight. Bisping’s cardio, heart, and determination once again pulled him through some scary moments in Round 1, to the point where I think Bisping decisively won the last two rounds of action. However, I think it’s very debatable that Bisping won Round 1. It was a very close round, but although I can kinda-sorta see why the judges seem to have believed that Bisping did enough at the end of the round to steal it, I personally had it 29-28 Bisping, with Akiyama winning Round 1.

Overall, I think this was a solid event and a very good UK card. I even think this would have been a good “Fight Night Live” card. It probably wasn’t good enough to be a UFC Pay-Per-View, but for the most part, I found myself consistently entertained. Other than Kongo/Browne I’ve got no major complaints. But what about you, fans and friends? What did you think of UFC 120?

James Wilks vs. Claude Patrick: Patrick may have more experience, more wins, and fewer losses, but Wilks is well within shouting distance of his record. I also think that Wilks has faced better competition, although I wouldn’t say that either man has ever been fully tested against a world-class athlete. I’m going to favor the TUF winner for this one, I think Wilks has a good future ahead of him in the UFC. Wilks will take a Unanimous Decision.

Cheick Kongo vs. Travis Browne: Much like every single fight Cheick Kongo has ever been in; this fight all depends on how quickly Browne puts him in a disadvantageous position. If Browne can dominate Kongo early and often, I think Kongo has a track record of ultimately wilting under pressure. I don’t see him getting knocked out or submitted (at least, not by Travis Browne), but I can see Browne taking a Unanimous Decision. But I think it’s far more likely that Kongo’s crisp striking and power punching will give him the KO in Round 1. Kongo is simply the more experienced striker, and while that experience proved to be null and void when he lost to Cain Velasquez, I think it will apply itself wholeheartedly against Travis Browne.

John Hathaway vs. Mike Pyle: I honestly haven’t gotten too caught up in the apparent rivalry between these two, but I’m still picking John Hathaway to win with a blowout performance. I think Hathaway really set himself apart by beating Diego Sanchez at UFC 114, a win that extended his undefeated streak that’s lasted since the start of his career in 2006. Meanwhile, Mike Pyle is 2-2 inside the UFC, although I will say that he has faced worthwhile competition. Unless Pyle pulls off a crazy submission in Round 1, I think John Hathaway walks away from UFC 120 with another Unanimous Decision win on his record.

Dan Hardy vs. Carlos Condit: On paper, this has all the makings of a “Fight of the Night” fight. I think both men need and want wins very badly, so we’re going to see fireworks from the opening bell to the final second, if it lasts that long. And I honestly think it won’t- someone is getting finished in this fight. Neither man has ever been (T)KO’d before, and I’m thinking that will change once the dust from this fight settles. Condit is by far the more well-rounded fighter, but Hardy hits hard, won’t tap out, never gives up, and has been in there with the best and impressed. I’m picking Hardy to score a second-round (T)KO.

Michael Bisping vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama: I have to admit, it’s pretty much a toss-up at this point. Yet I’m still picking Michael Bisping, a pick I made over a month ago. I think Bisping isn’t given enough credit and is a good fighter with inklings of the fantastic. Akiyama is also a good fighter, but just hasn’t hit his stride in the UFC. Now that he’s not combating a year-long layoff, I think Akiyama will really hang in there for all three rounds and give us a great fight. But Bisping has more Octagon experience, better striking, and the hometown advantage. Still, it will be a very, very close fight. Look for Michael Bisping to take a Split Decision.

And that’s where I stand, fans and friends. But what about you? We’re down to the wire here, so it’s your last chance: who’ve you got winning and losing at UFC 120?

Michael Bisping (185) vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama (185), Dan Hardy (171) vs. Carlos Condit (170), John Hathaway (171) vs. Mike Pyle (170), Cheick Kongo (228) vs. Travis Browne (251), James Wilks (170) vs. Claude Patrick (171), Cyrille Diabate (204) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (204), Rob Broughton (257) vs. Vinicius Kappke de Quieroz (239), Paul Sass (155) vs. Mark Holst (155), Spencer Fisher (155) vs. Curt Warburton (154), and James McSweeney (205) vs. Fabio Maldonado (204).

I think it’s interesting to note that several fighters took advantage of the one-pound-over allowance, including Dan Hardy. One pound likely won’t make a bit of difference against someone as skilled as Carlos Condit, but Hardy always struck me as a rather lanky welterweight. He’s buff, sure, but he’s no Georges St. Pierre. Other than that, nothing of note seems to have occurred at the weigh-ins, and that’s a good thing more often than not.

While I can’t say it has me as excited as the next UFC event, UFC 121: “Lesnar vs. Velasquez”, I can say that I will most definitely be giving UFC 120 a watch. Some of the fights, both on the main card and the preliminary card, seem to be loaded with potential. I always enjoy watching Michael Bisping fight, win or lose he usually puts a lot of heart and determination into his performances. It’s true that he’s been very hit-or-miss in his UFC tenure, but I still think Bisping can be a force to be reckoned with if he can just find the right formula.

The same holds true for Dan Hardy, who I’m not that big of a fan of although he definitely earned my respect after his refusal to tap several times during his recent loss to current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre. Dan Hardy is also a fighter that produces a lot of entertaining fights, and with his rivalry with Condit reaching a fevered pitch, we’re almost guaranteed some excellent exchanges and a really enjoyable fight.

And to top it all off, we’ve even got Cheick Kongo, who always seems one step away from a title shot before he’s knocked back down in the rankings. Once again, I’m not a huge fan of the man but I am a fan of the way he fights. I’ll be the first to admit that the man is little more than a dying turtle if he’s put on his back, or in just about any disadvantageous position for that matter, but his striking has always looked good and he’s hung in there with some of the UFC’s best. It will be interesting to see if Cheick Kongo still has something left for the UFC’s elite, or if Travis Browne knocks Kongo down to gatekeeper status once and for all.

And that’s it on my end. Check back here tomorrow for my official “Picks and Predictions” post where I detail who I think will win the main card matches and why. But what about you, fans and friends? What do you think of UFC 120, and will you be tuning in to watch it?

Read on for questions 2-7…

2. How will Carlos Condit fight in the first round vs. Dan Hardy?  Why is this important? Because, “The Natural Born Killer” has been extremely slow to get going in his last two fights vs. Jake Ellenberger and Rory MacDonald, needing big comebacks to pull victory from the jaws of defeat.  Against Hardy, if he is slow to fire, he may never get his chance in the third round, instead falling prey to Hardy’s heavy hands.

3. Has Dan Hardy truly developed a sturdy takedown defense?  I am interested to see, not how good his wrestling and Jiu Jitsu have become once on the mat … I want to see if he has improved his takedown defense.  This is the most important element in his growth. No matter how good he gets on the ground, his bread and butter will always be his standup.  His long-term success requires he keep fights standing against all the great wrestlers he will face going forward.  He needs to stay on his feet to leverage his greatest asset.  Chuck Liddell is the best example of this.  He became a master at stopping takedowns to keep fights in his sweet spot.

4. Can Michael Bisping finally deliver a thrilling offensive performance from start to finish?  In his last several fights we have seen a tentative, strategic Bisping unable or unwilling to let all his artillery fly.  He needs to win, first, but then be exciting to capture back the idea that he is title contender worthy, provided he keeps winning.  UFC suits would love for him to thrill so they can leverage his UK fan base and keep growing “The Count” into an international star.

5. Will Yoshihiro Akiyama display the crisp and crunching standup weapons we saw in the first three minutes of his fight against Chris Leben?  This version of “Sexyama” should be able to dispatch the UK’s Michael Bisping.

6. Will Mike Pyle finally show the UFC a dominating performance?  Pyle has long been lauded as one of the more talented mixed martial artists in the game to those around the sport. He has been a core cog in team Randy Couture and a Couture MMA trainer in Las Vegas.  However, his UFC performances have been hot and cold.  He has impressive career wins against Jon Fitch, Dan Hornbuckle, Shonie Carter, and Matt Horwich, but has gone 2-2 in the UFC alternating wins and losses recently.  Yes he beat Fitch, and not only did he beat him way back in 2002, but is the only man to ever submit the UFC welterweight star.  I have a gut feeling on Pyle at UFC 120 that he is ready to let loose a decisive performance.

7. Has Cheick Kongo diversified his MMA tool kit?  Before losing to Cain Velasquez, Cheick Kongo had started 7-2 in the UFC and was on a three fight win streak and starting to be in title discussion.  But the losses to Velasquez and Frank Mir set him back into more of grizzled seasoned veteran role.  Can he start another run?  Has he evolved to a new level?  We shall see in his fight against Travis Browne.

While their careers have taken two extremely different paths, Hardy working the international circuit for years before coming into the UFC in 2008, and Bisping, short cutting his way to fame by winning a coveted six-figure contract with the worlds largest mixed martial arts organization, through season 3 of “The Ultimate Fighter”.

While it seems at times both are competing against one another indirectly, in order to become the leading faces of the UK MMA scene, that couldn’t be anything further from the truth.

As it was earlier reported by Fighters.com, when Bisping released some controversial statements about his fellow countryman, it appeared that everything between the two alleged “friends”, wasn’t quite how it seemed.

“I’ve been a proud ambassador of UK MMA”, began Michael Bisping, before a long and torrid rant.

“I’ve worked hard and I’ve helped grow the sport to where it is. I haven’t disappeared off to America, like some Mohican wearing people, and lived there and trained there, but then come back here and pretended I’m English.”

While most certainly referring to one Dan Hardy, who actively owns homes in both England and Los Angeles here in the States, in order to get the best of both worlds while training, you would think that “The Outlaw” would take offense to such outlandish claims (which I find ironic, in that, Bisping used to cross train with “Rampage” here in the states, under the tutelage of Juanito Ibarra and while on his stint of TUF), but… Hardy brushed off the remarks as simply an over exaggeration.

“Bisping and I go back a long way, we’ve always been at each other, we’ve always been ripping each other, it’s just part of how it is”, said Dan. Plus we’ve got the media at our disposal as well, so now we can have a jab at each other on a national scale. Mike text me as soon as it came out, saying ‘I’ve been misunderstood, don’t take it the wrong way’. He’s very misunderstood!”

So, MMA peeps, for any of you who thought that Bisping and Hardy were cut throat–don’t believe everything you hear in the news. Sound off in the comment section below.

While “The Natural Born Killer” is fighting opposite of England’s own Dan Hardy, the season three winner of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Bisping, has had some words to exchange with Condit as well.

While there were some early concerns with Carlos coming to the London for his 170-pound match with Hardy, as he was delayed for a day due to passport issues leaving from New York, the matter was resolved and the Greg Jackson fighter left just a day later.

Arriving just in time to get a verbal lashing from his fellow UFC competitors, of the English persuasion, Condit had earlier addressed some concerns coming into Hardy’s backyard and what he feels may be intangible advantages for Dan, which is what initially brought Bisping into the mix.

“I’d imagine that it would be tough to win a decision, but I’m not looking for a decision, I’m looking to finish”, said Condit after being asked if he thinks it would be more difficult to win in London (being Hardy’s backyard), during the pre-fight press conference held at the O2 Arena.

Bisping quickly interjected.

“Can I just say, I don’t know what he means ‘tough to win a decision’, I think we have American judges anyway, so that comment is irrelevant”, said Michael.

“These things piss me off when people say that. We win fights here because we win fights”.

“Well, I think the crowd is going to be obviously bias, and I think sometimes that judges are affected by that”, retorted Condit.

“Yes, but the judges aren’t, Hopefully the crowd don’t judge the fight’s”, said Bisping.

“It won’t even be an issue, hopefully”, said Carlos.

“It’s not even my fight”, exclaimed Michael to a crowd of laughs”.

“Dan, would you like to say something? Sorry Carlos.”

“I think you said it all there, Mike”, said Hardy, holding back a laugh.

“It has nothing to do with me. I better go home”, finished “The Count”.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of Bisping’s remarks? Is any of it founded? Should he be worrying about his own fight opposite of Yoshihiro Akiyama? You can view the tidbits yourself at UFC.com, regarding the remarks made at today’s pre-fight presser. Sound off in the comment section below.

Bisping has much to gain from a stylish win on Saturday.  Not only would he move closer to a title shot, but the UK card will be beamed live over free Spike TV in America, so a huge stateside audience will be watching which never hurts the sponsor cash flow.  Additionally, a Bisping win would further solidify his standing as the face of MMA in the UK and much of Western Europe as the UFC continues to emphasize international expansion.

So, much is on the line in Bisping vs. Akiyama come Saturday, but the Ultimate Fighter-3 winner has expressed no doubts in the lead up.

“I am improving all the time, I am a much better fighter than one year ago and feeling like I am maturing now and coming into my peak as a mixed martial artist … I am preparing for a hard fight, but a fight I know I am going to win, but it is going to be tough.”

His opponent, Yoshihiro Akiyama is coming off a disappointing loss to Chris Leben at UFC 116.  In preparation, he has spent part of his training camp with famed MMA coach and strategist, Greg Jackson, in New Mexico.  Bisping is not concerned.

“I couldn’t care less who he is training with.   What I am focusing on these days is what I do.  He can worry about what I bring to the table.  My training is going fantastic.  I feel in the best shape.  I have improved all my areas, regardless of who he is training with. To answer your question, I could care less.”

Bisping vs. Akiyama may just be the 2010 UFC bout with the greatest international appeal. Akiyama is a crossover star in Japan with a model girlfriend, Nike footwear deal, and a long history as a MMA star in Japan.  Bisping will have most of the UK tuned-in as well to see if he can overcome what may be his most diverse opponent to date.

While the career stakes will rise quickly if “The Count” stops “Sexyama,” Bisping feels his small town roots will keep him grounded.

“I live in a small town in northwest England, live with same friends and family I have grown up with my whole life, and to be honest nothing has changed.  Ultimately, I am the same guy, I still live in the same place, same small town, not a lot has changed, and am able to train and continue with my regular lifestyle.”

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Are you ready for UFC 120.  Bisping or Akiyama?  Who are you betting on?  Sound off.

At a recent UFC 120 pre-fight press conference, with text transcriptions courtesy of MMA Mania, Bisping said the following: “…Other than the Dan Henderson fight, other than the bull**** decision to Wanderlei Silva, I don’t think I’ve lost any of the fights at middleweight. I got beat by Dan Henderson, and that’s it. You know, I feel I won the fight against Wanderlei… I’d love to avenge the loss to Wanderlei. I feel I beat him on that night, and I’d love to fight him again … You know, I mean, Wanderlei asked for the rematch… He knows deep down inside his soul that I beat him. I didn’t have a mark on me that night, and his face was quite totally messed up.”

Now, before I drop the hammer, I’d like to once again state that I usually harbor no ill will towards “The Count”. He’s a talented performer and a proven UFC draw, he can talk a little smack if he wants to. I think it’s unfair that so many people count him out of so many of his fights simply because he’s cocky and he’s got a major KO loss on his record. Many stars have come back from epic KO’s, for some it’s the best thing that has ever happened to them. So normally I’d take a “get over it” approach to Bisping’s tirades and ultimately wish the man the best.

But don’t you mess with Wanderlei Silva, Bisping. The reason Wanderlei asked for a rematch is because he wants to beat Bisping clearly and in dominating fashion. It doesn’t mean that Wanderlei thinks he lost, all it means is that he didn’t win the way he wanted to win and he wants to try again.

Ultimately, it’s Bisping’s fault for not winning the Wanderlei fight. The fight was very close, I have no problem admitting it. But Wanderlei stole all three rounds with his end-of-round flurries. Wanderlei finished all three rounds in a dominating position, he started strong and ended stronger, so of course the judges gave him the Unanimous Decision. Michael Bisping was in danger of getting TKO’d and even submitted when he fought Wanderlei. Keeping his pretty face intact while Silva’s looked nasty doesn’t come close to Silva nearly finishing the fight on several occasions.

But if Bisping really wants this rematch, I say give it to him. I think that Michael Bisping can beat Wanderlei Silva, but I also know that Silva can thoroughly dominate in the rematch. It would likely be a very different fight either way, and it’s definitely a rematch that I would really look forward to. And what about you, fans and friends? What are your thoughts on the first Silva/Bisping fight as well as the possible rematch?

Since his inception in the ufc, Bisping has always portrayed a sort of arrogant confidence that most people have either come to love or hate. None the less, he has proven to be one of, if not the biggest draw in the UK market, which has proven evident to several sold out shows in England.

However, jabbing words at your own countryman probably won’t sit well with said fans–especially when your taking pot shots at another endeared fighter in welterweight contender, Dan Hardy.

“I think now it’s become the cool thing to slag me off – I don’t know where it’s come from a lot of it to be honest”, began Bisping in an interview with Mirror.co.uk.

“You know, I’m an approachable guy, I always have time for everyone and yeah, sometimes I say some things sometimes that might piss people off a little bit, but most of the time it’s tongue in cheek and I’m having a laugh and they don’t get that”, added Bisping.

While “The Count”, the season 3 winner of the famed “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show–where he competed in the light heavyweight division until he lost a fight to eventual champion Rashad Evans by unanimous decision at UFC 78–has largely accepted his role as the “bad guy” here in the U.S. following his stint as a coach opposite of MMA great Dan Henderson, it’s the backlash he’s received from some of his fellow Englishman that has him the most on edge.

“To see it from some of the UK guys pisses me off. I’ve been a proud ambassador of UK MMA, I’ve worked hard and I’ve helped grow the sport to where it is”, said the middleweight, who is set to headline UFC 120 in England at the 02 Arena opposite of Yoshihiro Akiyama.

“I haven’t disappeared off to America, like some ‘Mohican’ wearing people and lived there and trained there, but then come back here and pretend I’m English”.