Event – UFC 95 Sanchez Vs Stevenson
Venue – O2 Arena, London, England
Date – 08/03/09 – tonight
Televised – Setanta Sports 1 in UK and Ireland 03.00 Sky Channel 423, Spike in US
Main card
Main event
Lightweight – 155 lbs – Diego Sanchez vs Joe Stevenson
Sanchez has an awesome ground game and may need to take it to the ground to win, has impressive wins over Kenny Florian and Nick Diaz at Welterweight. Stevenson 34-9 lost his title shot against BJ Penn and his last fight against Kenny Florian. A betting man would tip Stevenson to win as Sanchez is dropping down a division to fight. Steveson to win but this may have the makings of a classic
Co main event
Lightweight – 155 lbs – Dan Hardy vs Rory Markham
Midlands fighter Hardy’s techincal fighting style may frustrate Markham, Hardy’s career to date is 20-6-1, which is ok, he has won his only fight in UFC over Akihiro Gono. Markham himself has only had 1 fight in the UFC which was a win. Markham known for his punching power and KO record will fancy upsetting the English crowd. If it goes to the distance Hardy to win, but if he is caught Markham win, judge victory for Hardy.
Middleweight – 185 lbs – Nate Marquardt vs Wilson Gouveia
Gouveia jumps down a divison to take on Nate Marquardt, Gouveia may find it a struggle with the weight lose but his power should beat down an experienced campaigner in Marquardt
Middleweight – 185 lbs – Demian Maia vs Chael Sonnen
Maia unbeaten in his MMA and UFC career takes on Sonnen recently moved over from sister group WEC. Maia has an incredible ground game and has won his last 6 from choke submission. Maia to keep his unbeaten record.
Welterweight – 170 lbs – Josh Koscheck vs Paulo Thiago
Unbeaten Paulo Thiago takes on Josh Koscheck, Thiago has a strong chin and Koscheck ever improving striking game would fancy a win by knock out. If Koscheck wants to dominate and get back into a strong position in the UFC Welterweight division I suggests he puts away Thiago with his wrestling and TKO. Koscheck to be too strong.
Welterweight bout – 170 lbs – Troy Mandaloniz vs Paul Kelly
This may not be televised but definitely has the spark and beef UFC 95 needs. Hawiian Mandaloniz has only had one fight in the UFC which he won, known for his power punching he will have his work cut out with Liverpublian Paul Kelly who is 8-1 in his MMA career, losing last time out to Marcus Davies. If its a banger you wanted watch this fight, Mandaloniz may win with a massive right but Kelly needs a win possibly to stay in a highy competetive Welterweight division.
Danny Denhard
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