The UFC hits Houston, Texas for UFC 69: Shootout on the 7th April, which features a double main event with the TUF 4 winner Matt "The Terror" Serra finally getting his opportunity of stardom when he cashes in on his title match taking on the formidable GSP in his first title defence since stem rolling through Matt Hughes at UFC 65 to win the title.
Also in a highly anticipated grudge rematch the relentless Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez takes on the ever improving Josh "Kos" Koscheck who were both stand outs of the first ever Ultimate Fighter and met each other in the semi final where Sanchez picked up the win with a unanimous decision of the wrestling expert.
Here is the Preview for the televised card taking place:
Both these guys return to the octagon with wins under their belt. It should be a good match with these two feeling each other out early and belcher has been training solid for this one and specialising in his boxing skills as he knows grove can not utilize his reach advantage as much as he should. Kendall might look to take this one to the floor to gain advantage with his submission skills, but ‘The Talent’ is known for having great conditioning and is a well rounded and can take it either way.
Prediction: Belcher Via TKO round 2. Rory ‘Outburst’ Singer next for the winner.
Quick Swick returns from his victory over ‘The Crow’ to take Yushin Okami who his undefeated in the UFC with wins over Belcher, Starnes & Singer, but this is a contender in Swick who for me is a title contender and this could be the last win he needs to cement a title shot.
Okami trains with Caol Uno and loves his G&P if given an opportunity to deliver, which will be a challenge against Swick.
This is my chose for the sleeper bout of the card with both these guys being very explosive and having great cardio.
Prediction: Swick Via Submission round 3. Franklin v Swick for a title shot.
These two hate each other and its known as well which adds to this bout even more. We’ve seen Sanchez in classic bouts for me with Diaz & Parisian and the KO of Joe "Diesel" Riggs back in December, and the news he also served a ban for marijuana use. Koscheck is ever impressive from his transformation of just a wrestler to the impressive all-rounder we see today and now he has power in those hands with training with American top team.
As much as Koscheck has improved so has the ‘Nightmare’ into a real contender and he still doesn’t have a loss to his name and as Dana White said ‘that’s damn impressive’.
Nightmare to push the pace to hard for ‘Kos’ who’ll gas, but don’t count him out with those new hands and his submission & wrestling skill to his ammunition this will be a war as expected.
Prediction: Sanchez Via TKO round 2. Hughes v Sanchez another No.1 Contender match up
Garcia takes on the impressive ‘El Matador’ coming off his quick work of John Halverson at UFC 67, whereas ‘Bad Boy’ looks to make an impression on his debut with his 13-1-1 record which is not to be sniffed at.
Garcia brings his superb submission skills as well as his KO power to tame ‘El Matador’ on the 7th April, but Huerta will try to use his confidence and well roundness to crush the ‘Bad Boy’s dream debut. Look for an always exciting lightweight battle with its normal explosive style and showcase of MMA.
Prediction: Huerta Via split Decision. A date with Florian, (Tyson) griffin or Mishma
The majority of MMA fans have already given their opinion on this bout and that is Serra has no chance against the new ruler of the welterweight division, is it true?
This is near enough true, I’m not dismissing Serra’s skills he is a BJJ specialist, but with his reach disadvantage and his average stand-up it looks inevitable. GSP picks off Serra with his stand-up avoiding his takedowns and finishing him early with a ground & pound and the Rhode Island native returns to his normal weight of 155lbs or retire and bring more fighters like Cummo & Sell out of his academy.
At the end of the today anything can happen it is one man vs. another.
Prediction: GSP Via Ko Round 1 . GSP v Hughes or Sanchez
UFC 69: Shootout looks an interesting card with some exciting under card bouts as well in the heavyweight bout in Imes v Herring, Sell v Leites & Haynes v Cummo and with UFC 70 only 2 ½ weeks away its nice to see several entertaining fights on a event a lot of people are saying is fill in PPV.
By
G J Poole for MMA Universe
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