MMA You Want To Watch This Week 8/2 - 8/8

Well, the month of July with it's absolute dearth of MMA is gone.  UFC on VS. started August off in style last night, and this whole month is looking much better than last.  That may just be my perception, which honestly is somewhat colored by the fact that the Fireball Kid ko'd Tyson Griffin last night a minute into the first round (I'm STILL giddy about that!).  But what is unarguable is the return of our beloved Bellator next week, filling up Thursdays with awesomeness.  Add to that 2 Strikeforce events AND 2 UFC events this month, then throw in some Sengoku Raiden Championships, and we should be happy fans for the next 4 weeks.   So let's get to it!  I see you shiver with anticip...

First of all much thanks to Donna for taking over last week.  I was able to enjoy my anniversary without annoying the crap out of my hubby by muttering to myself while looking up old fights.  I tend to burst out with things like, "Oh! I totally forgot he fought him! No way!" and then proceed with typing without ever explaining who I'm referring to.  Annoying of the spouse is to be avoided on your wedding anniversary.  Words of wisdom. 

So, anyway, this week we FINALLY get to see one of the most prolific smack talkers we've ever heard either back up his talk or get destroyed.  Because it's time, people.  This Saturday, at last, is...

UFC 117  

Oakland, CA

Saturday, August 7, 10pm est, PPV

Wow, where to begin with this one.  I mean, the main card is so zarking stacked that it's nuts.  You've got the middleweight belt on the line, as Chael Sonnen (24-10) takes on champ Anderson Silva (26-4).  I know that you're all aware of the crap than Sonnen has been spewing in recent weeks.  Well, it's time to show us that he can back up the talk.  Do I think Sonnen can beat Silva?  Sure, it's possible.  But here is what I keep coming back to: Sonnen couldn't beat Maia.  Maia couldn't beat Silva.  While Sonnen has a chance against Silva, I personally wouldn't put real money on it.  But it doesn't really matter in the end.  What matters is that thanks to Sonnen's ability to make himself out to be an absolute scumbag, EVERYONE wants to watch this fight.  So really, there's no point in my telling you that you want to watch it.  You already knew that.  :)

Clay Guida (26-8) is going to be fighting Rafael dos Anjos (14-4).  Guida is one of the most fun guys to watch in the cage that I've ever seen.  Even when he loses, he's so entertaining that it doesn't matter.  He also thanks more people after the fight than anyone else I can think of right now.  And dos Anjos has only lost 2 fights in the past 4 years.  Yep, 2.  And those were to Tyson Griffin and Jeremy Stevens - not exactly slouches.  This fight should be fantastic on several levels, I can't wait!

We're also going to get to see Roy Nelson (16-4) finally take on some top-level competition in Junior dos Santos (11-1).  I know, Nelson has beaten Schaub and Struve (and proved he could punch), but when he's been rolling with the big boys, he hasn't done so well.  Both Arlovski and Jeff Monson handed him losses before his TUF stint, and prior to that even Ben Rothwell beat him - albeit by split decision.  Dos Santos, however, is coming off of a wn streak that includes victories over Werdum, Cro Cop, Yvel, and Gabe Gonzaga.  Let me reiterate - dos Santos beat the guy who beat Fedor.  So this is a huge chance for Nelson to show that he and his belly belong in the top ranks of the UFC heavyweights. 

Matt Hughes (45-7) will be fighting Ricardo Almeida (12-3).  This one is kinda personal for me.  See, I can't stand Matt Hughes.  Oh, I know, he's a fantastic fighter.  And I know that he's been in the game for a long long time.  But I can't stand his attitude.  So I'd love to see Almeida come in and hand him a loss.  And it's very possible (though maybe not probable) that's exactly what will happen.  Almeida has beaten the likes of Ryo Chonan, Marquardt, and Minowa, who aren't exactly bottom shelf talent.  This fight is interesting as well because Almeida has his black belt in bjj from Renzo Gracie (who lost to Hughes at UFC 112).  Kind of a 'student avenging the master' scenario going on there that makes things a bit more intense.

The other main card fight is John Fitch (25-3) vs. Thiago Alves (22-5).  I don't know where to start for this one.  These guys fought once before and Fitch won.  So Alves has the motivation to get in there and win, and do it decisively.  Alves has wins against both Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck, and should be more than a match for Fitch this time.  12 of Fitch's wins have been by decision, compared to only 5 of Alves'.  Fitch might be able to get Alves down and grind out a win, but honestly, I'll be surprised if this one gets to the judges. 

Don't forget all the Friday night HDNet goodness that I really don't have time to post in detail this week.  Bas is always worth watching!  Thanks, kids, for your kind attention.  And to make up for this being posted so late today, I will provide you with some Eye Candy in a little while!  Aren't I wonderful?  :)