UFC 102

When I first heard of the headliners for UFC 102 (Couture vs. Nogueira) I was less than excited. I am a big Couture fan, but I figured this is a fight that should have happened years ago. Now, both guys are coming off losses and it's a bit underwhelming. Yet, it is a soild card and that's what makes for a good event, not just one headline fight.

 

Heavyweight bout:  Randy Couture vs.  Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira

Light Heavyweight bout:  Keith Jardine vs.  Thiago Silva

Middleweight bout:  Chris Leben vs.  Jake Rosholt

Middleweight bout:  Nate Marquardt vs.  Demian Maia

Light Heavyweight bout:  Brandon Vera vs.  Krzysztof Soszynski

 

Preliminary card

Middleweight bout:  Ed Herman vs.  Aaron Simpson

Heavyweight bout:  Gabriel Gonzaga vs.  Chris Tuchscherer

Heavyweight bout:  Justin McCully vs.  Mike Russow

Heavyweight bout:  Tim Hague vs.  Todd Duffee

Middleweight bout:  Nick Catone vs.  Mark Muñoz

Lightweight bout:  Marcus Aurelio vs.  Evan Dunham

 

I always love to see Jardine fight. Leben is usually good for an entertaining fight as well. Marquardt vs Maia probably determines the next Anderson Silva victim. Looks to be a classic wrestling/jitz battle. Nate is one powerful dude, but should probably take his chances standing. I know Marquardt has some definite submission skills, but Maia is on a crazy level. Demian has won all his UFC fights via submission, and usually Sub of the Night honors. Vera vs Krzysztof is also interesting. Soszynski took this one on short notice, and it's definitely his chance to jump up the 205 ladder. Will be a good indicator of where his overall game is at. I'm pulling for him since he was entertaining on TUF and trains with Hendo.

 

Who is Tuchscherer? I guess the guy got to skip TUF 10 and straight to a legit heavyweight in his first UFC fight. They're obviously fast tracking this guy. I'm interested to see how he does. Russow, Duffee and Hague are also pretty much brand new Lesnar bait. I like keeping on top of the heavies, since the UFC is obviously looking to stock up that division. And TUF 10 is just around the corner...