UFC Announces Upcoming Fights

By Raphael Garcia

The UFC is continuing its push into the summer, creating what are expected to be exciting matchups throughout their divisions. Injuries and upcoming events have given the UFC matchmakers the chance to display the depth of the talent that they have amassed as the organization has grown. Here are some of the most recent announcements of fights that will be happening in the next few months:



Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann

Chael Sonnen will make his return to the Octagon at UFC 136, as he has been rumored to be the next opponent for emerging middleweight Brian Stann.

Sonnen has not stepped into a UFC cage since his defeat at the hands of Anderson Silva last year. The failed title bid was just the start of the negative situations that affected both his personal life and his professional career. The end result was Sonnen spending an extended period of time away from the Octagon. However, his fight license was reinstated on June 29th, and he was immediately allowed to look for fights throughout the country.

Stann, on the other hand, has put together a three-fight win streak that has recently seen him stop both Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago in exciting fashion. The former Marine has become a major fan favorite in the organization, who would like to build him up as an eventual contender to the middleweight crown.

This fight is very interesting because Stann has the power to stop Sonnen, but the question is whether he can keep the fight on the feet. Sonnen has proved that he can quickly take down his opponent and control the position of a fight, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he did the same type of thing in this fight. However, time away from the cage is almost always detrimental, and for that reason I have Stann winning this bout.

Donald Cerrone vs. Charles Oliveira

UFC Live 5 just added a major fight in the lightweight division, as injuries to John Makdessi and Paul Taylor have made room for Charles Oliveira to step in and face Donald Cerrone. Cerrone and Oliveira are two lightweights who have been rising up the ranks, and are poised to be potential contenders in the coming years.

Since his defeat to Benson Henderson, Cerrone has defeated four fighters in a row and looked like his abilities have improved with each outing. Being an import from the WEC, Cerrone hasn’t faced the toughest of the opposition that the UFC’s lightweight has to offer, but this fight will certainly be a step in the right direction.

Oliveira was also on a tear until he ran into Jim Miller at UFC 124. Miller caught Oliveira in a knee bar and forced him to tap in the first round. At UFC Live 4, Oliveira was involved in an action-packed fight against Nik Lentz, in which he landed an illegal knee, then finished the fight with a rear naked choke. Unfortunately for Olivera, that victory was overturned and ruled a no contest. However, during the two rounds of action Oliveira looked very active everywhere the fight took place, and many observers believed he was winning the fight.

Oliveira-Cerrone will help set the stage for contenders in 2012. Both individuals are positioned within the top 15 to 20 fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division, and a victory would help the winner move up. Cerrone should control the battle on the feet, although Oliveira will push the pace with his frantic style. Cerrone has some solid grappling abilities, but cannot deal with Oliveira, who is very active from his back. Oliveira should win this fight by submission.

Dan Miller vs. Rousimar Palhares

Dan Miller will once again step in for an injured competitor when he faces off against Rousimar Palhares at UFC 134 in Rio.

The New Jersey native stepped in as a late replacement for his most recent fight, a defeat to Nate Marquardt at UFC 128. Miller has gone through a rough spot in his career, losing four of his last six fights, but he is always willing to step in and face off against anyone whenever the UFC needs a fighter to step in.

Palhares was very close to title contention as well, until he was also defeated by Marquardt, at UFC Fight Night 22. He was trying to protest what he perceived to be greasing by his opponent, and Marquardt took the opportunity to finish the fight by TKO. Since then he has defeated Dave Branch by submission, at UFC Live 3.

Miller-Palhares makes a great undercard matchup. Miller has an advantage in the stand up department, but the fight is tough to call once it hits the ground. Palhares is known for his deadly leg lock attacks that have accounted for 6 of his 9 submission victories. The intriguing thing about this fight is what happens once this fight hits the mat. Miller has the ability to avoid leg locks while controlling position and damaging Palhares. Miller should win by decision.