MMA You Want To Watch This Week 8/16 - 8/22

Ah, Monday.  We know you hate it.  It's ok, we understand.  The Monday dread starts somewhere around dinner time Sunday, and manages to corrupt those last few hours of the weekend with it's inevitability.  There you are, trying to squeeze a couple more hours of relaxation (and Star Craft 2, or is that just me?) into Sunday night, and then the realization that Monday is lurking suddenly hits you.  But it's ok, really, because here is your Monday antidote:  A whole week of MMA to look forward to, coming to a television near you! 

Ok, you're all gonna have to bear with me today.  I obviously didn't sleep well last night, and I'm almost falling asleep on my computer.  It wasn't like I was up way too late playing video games or anything like that.  Really... 

My lack of sleep, coupled with the fact that there is a lot going on this week in MMA, means I'm going to try to keep this brief.  I promise I'll try not to write a book for each event.  :)

WEC 50

Las Vegas, NV

Wednesday, August 18, 9pm, Versus

Unfortunately, no matter who is on the above poster, Uriah Faber isn't able to make his bantamweight debut at this event, as was originally planned.  An injury forced him to withdraw from the fight and the whole bout was scrapped.  It is expected, however that the fight will take place vs. Mizugaki as soon as Faber is recovered.

So, what does that leave us?  Well, a lot, really.  For example, there is the championship bout between Dominic Cruz (15-1) and Joseph Benavidez (12-1).  Cruz won the bantamweight belt in a match with Brian Bowles in March, and is defending it for the first time Wednesday night.  This is an interesting fight, because Cruz and Benavidez fought just over a year ago, with Cruz the victor.  It will also be interesting to see if Cruz has better luck defending the title than Bowles did (the Bowles/Cruz fight was Bowles' first defense after taking the belt from Miguel Torres). 

However the title fight goes, and even without Faber in the picture, this event should be an exciting one.  Seems like the guys in the lower weight classes always put on a good show and I expect this one to be no different.

Bellator XXV

Chicago, IL

Thursday, August 19, 8pm, FSN

A friend of mine lives in Chicago, and I have to say I have never ever been envious of her until now.  I'd give a great deal to be able to see Bellator live.  Alas, I am perpetually broke and just can't afford to travel to see a fight.  Damn.  Ok, I'm through feeling sorry for myself. 

Thursday, we'll see two more fights in the heavyweight tourney and one in the women's tourney.   Scott Barrett (10-1) will face off against Damian Grabowski (12-0),  and Cole Konrad (4-1) will face Rogent Lloret (9-1).  The 3rd bout of the women's tournament will be Jessica Pene (7-0) vs. Zoila Frausto (7-1).  Most everyone who has glanced at any MMA news in the past few months is probably aware of Frausto's win over Rosi Sexton at Bellator 23 in June.  She channeled her inner Overeem and knocked Sexton out with a brutal knee that will grace highlight reels forevermore.  Whether she will show the same power against Pene we'll have to wait to see, but needless to say, expectations are high for The Warrior Princess. 

Also, season 2 welterweight runner-up Dan Hornbuckle (21-3) will be fighting Thursday night against former UFC fighter Brad Blackburn (15-11).  This is Blackburn's first fight since being cut from the UFC after back to back losses to Amir Sadollah and DaMarques Johnson, and Hornbuckle's first fight since losing the season 2 ww tourney to Ben Askren (I'm almost not bitter about that anymore.  Almost). 

Strikeforce Houston

Houston, TX

Saturday, August 21, 10pm, Showtime (also on DirecTV PPV)

Ok, I'm excited about this one.  Jacare, Kennedy, Noons, King Mo...  there should be some good fights going on Saturday night.  I'm even more excited about Mo defending his title because he's from Murfreesboro, TN, which is about an hour from me.  I know Rampage is from Tennessee, too, but he's from Memphis and that's the other end of the state.  Mo is practically a neighbor. 

King Mo (7-0) is fighting Rafael Feijao Cavalcante (9-2).  I believe that Strikeforce wanted to give a title shot to Babalu after his win over Robbie Lawler, but Babalu has stated that he will not fight Mo because the two are buddies.  So the title shot goes to Feijao.  Now, I've watched Mo work his way through Sengoku, and I watched him beat Mousasi, but I have never seen Feijao fight so I have no idea how this bout will go.  But if I'm lucky  if he's smart,  Mo will have Babalu in his corner.  After all, he was good luck for Werdum!

The proposed middleweight tournament for Jake Shield's vacant title was not meant to be, so instead we have Jacare Souza (12-2) fighting Tim Kennedy (12-2) for the belt.   We'll also get to see Bobby Lashley (5-0) fighting for the first time since January, when he takes on Chad Griggs (8-1).  KJ Noons (9-2) will be fighting Jorge Gurgel (13-6) as well. 

Sengoku Raiden Championships 14

Sunday, August 22, 2am, HDNet

Yes, that's 2 in the morning on a Sunday.  But look at it this way, you'll probably still be drinking at that point, and discussing the Strikeforce fights.  So why not watch Jorge Santiago (22-8) defend his middleweight belt against Kazuo Misaki (22-10)?  Or the lightweight debut of Akihiro Gono (32-15)?  Don't forget, you'll also be entertained by Michael Shiavello for the entire event!  And you'll be keeping me company - cause I'll be watching, AND Sunday is my birthday, so you can help me celebrate by watching the fights with me!  Though I'll probably have switched from beer to coffee at that point...

Don't forget, HDNet on Friday night, all kinds of great stuff, starting at 8. Fighting Words with Mike Straka this week talks to Jon 'Bones' Jones.  Inside MMA is gonna be great, because MFC president Mark Pavelich is a guest - this guy is hilarious to listen to, and if you don't believe me, check this out.  Forrest Griffin is also a guest this week.  And, as always, there is BAS!  After all that awesomeness, there is (at 10pm) the premier of The Voice vs. Tito Ortiz.  The two previous The Voice vs.  shows have been all quality entertainment from start to finish and this one looks to be more of the same.  Schiavello has a way of interviewing that even made Mayhem Miller seem like a nice, funny, interesting guy.  Imagine what he can do with Tito!

Ok, that's what you want to watch this week.  Even if I didn't give you enough reasons here, just trust me, you want to see it ALL.  Happy Monday!!