UFC 67 The Preview - MMAUniverse.com

UFC 67 The Preview

Date submitted: 31 January 2007

Submitted by: GJ Poole for MMA Universe

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The first UFC of 2007 hits Mandalay Bay Resort on the 3rd February and what a way to kick the year off!

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who holds a TKO victory over Chuck Liddell, makes his UFC debut. In the Heavyweight Division, Pride 2006 Openweight Grand Prix Winner, Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic also comes to the UFC for the first time. Cro Cop is out to dethrone current Heavyweight Champion, Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia, who himself is facing former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Randy "The Natural" Couture.

If that’s not enough. The main event of the evening is UFC Middleweight Champion and Muay Thai sensation Anderson Silva against The Ultimate Fighter Season 4 winner Travis "The Serial Killer" Lutter, in what promises to be an interesting and unpredictable affair.

Here is a run through of the televised card for UFC 67: All or Nothing.

Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith v Patrick "The Predator" Cote

Coming off that phenomenal finish at the TUF Finale against Pete Sell, Scott Smith returns to take on the TUF Finalist Patrick Cote, who has yet to score a victory in UFC.

This should be an all out crowd pleaser with both throwing bombs throughout the fight. As both have been known to stand and trade with their opponents, it will probably be no different in this one. If this goes to the floor, look for Cote’s Jiu-Jitsu giving him the advantage over Smith’s wrestling background.

Prediction – Cote by Split Decision and a fight with Mick Swick or Ed Herman.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson v Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman

Rampage brings his devastating slams and wrestling to the Octagon, along with the desire to avenge his 2001 loss to The Beastman. And everyone knows that the UFC look to set up Chuck and Quinton 2 later in the year.

Rampage should use his height advantage to apply his trademark slams and wrestling skills against Eastman, but Eastman holding a victory over Jackson might give the Nevada native an edge. Eastman’s Muay Thai & Wrestling skills could even prove a stumbling block for Rampage’s debut.

Prediction – Jackson by TKO Round 1 and title shot against “The Iceman”.

“The Hurricane” John Halverson v Roger "El Matador" Huerta

Halverson makes his debut in the UFC Lightweight Division against Roger "El Matador" Huerta. With Franca confirmed for a Title shot against Sherk in July and the rumour of the returning Caol Uno] to take on Joe Stevenson in April, the Lightweight division looks like another exciting prospect for 2007.

This is a good chance for both fighters to shoot up the rankings towards a future title shot. With the rumour of Takanori Gomi coming over from Japan to fight in the UFC this year, a good performance on Saturday night may give the UFC match-makers some ideas.

Prediction – Halverson by TKO Round 2 and possible future bout with Spencer Fisher or Joe Lauzon (who defeated Jens Pulver).

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic v Eddie "Dirty" Sanchez

One of MMA’s biggest steals lands on Saturday to shake things up. Although, how things have suddenly changed in the formally lack lustre UFC Heavyweight Division, with the addition of former champ Randy Couture and the dangerous Heath Herring added to the division.

Sanchez himself has said that he has been given a great opportunity but even he acknowledges that he is the big underdog in this fight. Others may say that he is about to be fed to the lions.

Although Sanchez has a perfect 8-0 record and has been regarded as having heavy hands, which gave him his debut Win against Mario Neto at UFC 63, the future looks bleak for the Man they call ‘Dirty’ Sanchez..

Prediction – Filipovic by KO Round 1 and title shot or possibly Assuerio Silva or Gabriel Gonzanga next for the Croatian.

Main Event for the Middleweight Title
Anderson "The Spider" Silva v Travis "The Serial Killer" Lutter

For me this is a very tricky fight to call. After Lutter’s decimation of Cote in the TUF Finale, some would say easily that he had the easy route to disputing the UFC Middleweight Title. Anderson Silva possesses perhaps the most spectacular striking in Mixed Martial Arts but Lutter has the perfect Anti-Striking style to fight it.

The way this fight will go could either be flash KO or Sub. Alternatively we could experience a floor against stand-up marathon like we say in Sylvia vs Monson (Noooo!).

If I had to predict, I will say that Silva will eventually be taken to the ground where his Noguiera Black Belt will be tested. If he can survive on the ground, I believe that Anderson Silva will have his first successful title defence.

Prediction – Silva by KO Round 3 and to take on the winner of Franklin v MacDonald from UFC 68

All in all this is a very strong card to kick off things for the UFC in 2007. The new debutants and the Middleweight Title bout for the card are great but the negative for me is the UFC not televising Griffin v Edgar or the Machida v Hoger.

By GJ Poole for MMA Universe