In 2013 there is more MMA than ever on our airwaves, so how do we separate the grain from the chaff? Well, for one, by reading this. You can’t be bothered with watching a boring event, you have a life, you need to get out there and explore the world. You may be addicted too MMA, but even the most hardcore addict can overdose. Let us break down the week in MMA for you, and guide you in the direction the MMA Gods would want. This is the MMANuts Guide to Your Week in MMA.
February 26th -TUF Tuesday:
Last week we saw Kelvin knock ‘ringer’ Bubba McDaniel out of the competition due to some inspirational words by Chael and a dangling carrot in the form of a Ronda Rousey training session. It was another great episode of TUF in a season full of them. FX is really hitting it’s stride with the franchise, and dare I say, they’re breathing new life into the tired formula. The fights have been fantastic and the respect between the two coaches in Chael and Jones is extremely interesting. Next week, Bones’ team is back out of control. Will we see a Ronda appearance? Will Chael’s team continue to dominate?
I don’t know… But what I DO know is that I’m going to WATCH!
Thursday the 29th – Bellator 91.
After nearly six weeks of can’t-miss action from top to bottom, Bellator has finally put on a card that is a bit… How should I say this… Ho hum? Sure, the light heavyweight title is on the line, but Christian M’Pumbu already tainted his title with a loss in a non-title warm up bout to Travis Wiuff back at Bellator 55. Couple that loss with some injuries, and despite last weeks shocking knockout loss to Emanuel Newtown, and some people STILL think King Mo is the light heavyweight Bellator champ. OK, so just me, but still.
Beyond the the M’Pumbu/Attila Veigh fight (which should be good), all that’s left are two lightweight tournament bouts with Dave Rickels acting live a caveman vs. Jason Fischer and Saad Awad vs. Will Brooks in the other bracket.
For the first time since they debuted on Spike, we suggest you SKIP, but only if you really want a Thursday night to yourself with a hot bath, a glass of wine and some Parks and Recreation.
Friday,March 1st – AXS TV Fights: Legacy Fighting Championships 18.
Hmmm, two title fights that may be under the radar in Jorge Patino defending his welterweight title against Derrick Krantz, and the heavyweight title is on the line with Derrick Lewis defending against Ricky Shivers. Well, considering this is the ONLY Friday MMA, and you may have not seen Bellator with your romantic Thursday evening with yourself, so why not WATCH.
It’s always these types of small shows that deliver the action. Feel free to watch Bellator and skip this event if you want. We can be flexible here, even though nuts aren’t known for their flexibility.
Saturday,March 2nd – UFC on Fuel 8 JAPAN: Silva vs Stann
MAIN (FUEL TV, 10 p.m. ET)
Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve Takanori Gomi vs. Diego Sanchez Hector Lombard vs. Yushin Okami Mizuto Hirota vs. Rani Yahya Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Dong Hyun Kim PRELIMINARY (Facebook, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Riki Fukuda vs. Brad Tavares Bryan Caraway vs. Takeya Mizugaki Cristiano Marcello vs. Kazuki Tokudome Alex Caceres vs. Kyung Ho Kang Marcelo Guimaraes vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
Can I get an Amen brother! Holy shit this card looks solid on paper for the Japan fans and US fans, if you have Fuel TV. Some of us still don’t and while we think thats total fuckery, at least the UFC is putting out solid cards for free! Not much needs to be said here, you have Wanderlei Silva, one of the most loved and decorated fighters ever making his return to the place where most MMA fans fell in love with him.
You also have a crazy matchup in slugging styles with Mark Hunt taking on the crafty Stefan Struve looking to make an impact in 2013 in the heavyweight division. Also, there are title implications as Hector Lombard looks to continue his destruction of the Middleweight division and spoil Okami’s chances at second stanza against Anderson Silva.
Should you watch….? Do you even have to ask…. HELL YES YOU SHOULD WATCH!!!
