UWC – East Coast MMA is back!

I don’t need to tell you about the most important MMA event this weekend.  I also don’t need to tell you that the event will feature a former WEC champ, 2 TUF participants, and fighters from huge camps.  What I do need to tell you is that this event is not taking place in the UFC.  One more thing you need to know is that East Coast MMA is back thanks to the team at UWC.

The UWC is providing MMA fans of the East something to cheer for.  This is not just a random amateur or pro event, this is serious MMA.  Almost half of the fighters on this card have or will fight in one of the top 3 organizations in the world before they hang it up.

Here is the exciting fight card with notes about the fighters.  MMAOpinion will provide predictions prior to each fight during the live coverage:

Kris McCray vs. Manny Okorie
Kris McCray is 1-0 as a pro and fights out of Team Lloyd Irvin.  Manny Okorie will be making his pro debut and fights out of Team Yamasaki

Brendan Schaub vs. Dave Brytus
Schaub is 2-0 as a fighter.  He is a Golden Gloves champion and a former pro football player.  Brytus is also a Golden Gloves champ but is also a Karate State Champ for PA.  He also played football at the University of Pittsburgh.  The boxing match up will make this one a battle.  Watch out, this one could go fast!

Kyle Baker vs. Levon Maynard
Baker is 6-3.  Kyle is one of the up and coming fighters in the VA/ DC area.  He is a brawler that is not afraid to bang.  Maynard is 5-3 and will be a tough opponent..

Felice Herrig vs. Iman Achhal
Felice is a female fighter that is sure to make waves in 09.  She fights out of the H.I.T Squad and won the Fight Girls reality show.  She will be making her pro MMA debut.  Iman will also be making her MMA debut and trains out of Capital BJJ/ Team Royce Gracie.

Cody Donovan vs. Phil Davis
Cody is 3-1.  He will be making the long trip from Denver to take on Davis who is 6-4.  Davis is fighting out of Team Lion Heart in PA.

Ron Stallings vs. Whisper Goodman
Stallings is 6-2-1 and fights out of Team Lloyd Irvin.  Whisper is a former Green Bay Packer and fights out of the H.I.T. Squad.  This fight will be one of beasts.  Both of these guys are huge muscle bound guys who can go 10 rounds or more!  This could be one of the most exciting fights of the night.

Marcus Foran vs. Richie Hightower
Foran is 6-2 and is a Greg Jackson up and comer  The former Marine Special Ops member will look to  show DC that he is ready for tougher competition.  He will be taking on TUF 6 vet Richie Hightower.  His record is 7-3.

John Dobson vs. Jose Villarisco
Dobson had the opportunity to be on the Tapout television show.  The 5-3 Magician is another Team Jackson fighter and will be making the long trip from New Mexico.  He will be fighting against Jose Villarisco.  He will be making his MMA debut but is a 2x National Muay Thai champion and world finalist.

The most notable point about all of these fights are how well they are matched up.  The UWC definitely did their homework with the scheduling of this event.  On paper, all of the first 8 fights on the card are barn burners!

The co-main events of the night:

Antwain Britt vs. Jamal Patterson
Antwain is a fighter out of Team Hybrid in Virginia Beach.  He has incredible punching power, and a solid wrestling background.  He was a member of last season’s TUF but suffered an injury that resulted in his departure from the show.  He is 8-1 and will be looking to show his incredible KO power once again.  His opponent Jamal Patterson is no slouch.  If Antwain is expecting a walk in the park then he is mistaken.  Patterson will be more than just a game opponent.  He is a Renzo Gracie Black Belt and is a 6x IFL Vet.  He is a very tough fighter that has solid conditioning.  This is one of those fights that everyone is talking about.  It is arguably the biggest fight not only for this event but in all of MMA on the 21st of Feb.  The winner of this fight will have bragging rights and possibly a shot at the next level.

Mike Easton vs. Chase Beebe (This fight could be off, but just in case)
This fight is the most important 135 pound fight in the history of D.C. MMA.  Mike Easton is hoping to play spoiler to the entire H.I.T Squad camp.  He hopes their trip home is sour because of his fight.  Easton is a 6-1 fighter and is a #1 ranked UWC fighter.  His corner will consist of Lloyd Irvin and UFC fighter Brandon Vera.  On the opposite side of the cage will be former WEC champion Chase Beebe.  Chase very well could be the best fighter out of the H.I.T Squad not named Hughes.  The 11-3 fighter will have the assistance of Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, and Marc Fiore.  Easton and Beebe will provide the fans with an action packed bantamweight fight for the UWC 135 pound title.

MMAOpinion will provide the most solid coverage of this event period.  We will be covering this event live with pictures and constant updates!