As an East Coast MMA enthusiast, the idea of the biggest fight production coming to a neighboring, albeit scary, venue in the near future has me dreaming of the great matchups that could benefit both the casual fan and the devotee. These benefits will certainly carry over to the UFC as well.
With the rumored lineup of UFC 78, it seems that the casual fans are winning so far. With matchups like Ortiz vs. Rashad 2 and a bunch of small name fighters, aside from Karo Parisyan and if you go back far enough, Spencer Fisher; putting most die-hards to sleep, the casual fan will certainly enjoy the cage-grabbing takedowns and one-dimensional primeval ground ‘n pound that will erupt during the main fight. This, of course, is aside from the drunkeness and booing that is sure to envelope the mixed crowd in Newark, NJ.
Fights like a potential BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson/Sean Sherk lightweight championship bout, Bisping vs. Hamill rematch, Serra vs. Hughes welterweight championship bout, and introduction of former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva are all rumored for UFC 79 back in the wonderful city of (you guessed it) Las Vegas.
There’s really only one person we can blame for his respective fight; Sean Sherk. He was caught using Nandrolone, an anaboic steroid, during his lightweight title fight against Hermes Franca during UFC 73 and is still awaiting the appeal results from the CSAC regarding his suspension and fine. Everyone else has an excuse: Matt Hamill is injured, Matt Hughes and Matt Serra can’t fight until the Ultimate Fighter 6 is done airing, and Wanderlei wasn’t ready to fight in November for personal reasons regarding his move to the United States.
Let’s hope the letdown is only as rumor. We still have time for another good fight or two during UFC 78, but will the UFC’s great (if you believe everything Dana White says) matchmaker pull through? It’s not Vegas, so I don’t see it happening.
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