First and Worst is an ongoing series for MMARatings.net, where every week Adam will make his pick for the best and worst newly-announced fight of the past week (Monday to Sunday). If you’d like to see any additions to this series, hit him up on Twitter @MMAdamMartin.
First: John Albert vs. Yaotzin Meza, UFC on FOX 8
My pick for the best matchup announced this past week is the upcoming bantamweight bout at UFC on FOX 8 between John Albert and Yaotzin Meza. Since this was the only new fight announced by the UFC – or any notable promotion, for that matter – it wins the award by default, but regardless, it’s still a fight I’m very much looking forward to, because I believe it will be an underrated gem.
Yes, I know that Albert has lost three straight fights in the Octagon, but remember that they were to Scott Jorgensen, Erik Perez, and Ivan Menjivar, who are three of the best bantamweights in the world. As for Meza, he lost via KO to top-ranked featherweight contender Chad Mendes in his UFC debut back at UFC on FX 6, but he’ll be dropping down to his natural weight class of 135 pounds for this fight against Albert and I expect him to have a much better performance in his sophomore UFC effort.
Both Albert and Meza are finishers, and I highly doubt this fight goes the distance. The reason Albert has been kept around by the UFC despite his losing streak is because every fight he is in is exciting, win, lose, or draw, and fighting in front of his hometown fans in Washington state this July, I expect him to have a superb performance. As for Meza, it’ll be his last chance to stick around in the UFC too, so I expect him to enter the fight in great shape and prepared for 15 minutes.
This fight will fly under the radar, but don’t be surprised if it ends up winning one of the post-fight bonuses at UFC on FOX 8.
Worst: Leonard Garcia vs. Rey Trujillo, Legacy FC 21
There weren’t many matchups announced this week in the world of mixed martial arts, but my choice for the worst one announced is a featherweight bout at Legacy FC 21 on July 19 in Houston, Texas, between UFC castoff Leonard Garcia and Rey Trujillo.
This fight kind of “wins” the award for worst fight announced this past weekend by default, as well, almost solely on the basis that it features Garcia, who is currently riding a five–fight losing streak (which really should be six if you count his controversial win over Nam Phan at the TUF 12 Finale). Garcia is a very nice guy and I wish him the best in his career, but he was among the worst fighters in the UFC and I don’t think he’s going to magically improve overnight, although he should be commended for making the move to red-hot Team Alpha Male to improve his game.
As for Trujillo, he’s not someone many have heard of, but he is a veteran of Legacy FC, and should provide a willing opponent for Garcia. I’m guessing this is going to be one of those stand-em-up, slug-em-out type fights, so if that’s your cup of tea then
you will enjoy it, but for those who prefer to watch technically-skilled fighters go at it, look elsewhere.
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UFC on Fox 8 is due to take place on July 27, 2013 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC on Fox 8 will be.
