The end of July is approaching, and the summer sun is glaring down on everyone. Yet that won’t be stopping the mixed martial arts world, in particular, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is moving into an exciting part of its 2013 schedule. The UFC has stacked an impressive slate of fights for MMA fans to enjoy in the second half of the year. All nine of the organization’s champions are in action, setting up some must-see fight nights.
Demetrious Johnson and John Moraga will kick off the action, as they square off for the flyweight championship on July 27 at UFC on Fox 8. Johnson’s second title defense will come on the Fox network once again, to give the flyweight division a chance to shine in front of the most fans possible.
Jose Aldo and Chan Sung Jung keep the action going at UFC 163 on August 3rd in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Jung is stepping in for the injured Anthony Pettis to create an intriguing matchup at 145 pounds. Aldo has been well in control for most of his title bouts, but the “Korean Zombie” brings a style of organized chaos that has the potential to create trouble for nearly anyone.
At the end of August, the rematch that MMA fans and media have been waiting three years to see finally occurs, when Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis lock up at UFC 164. An injury to TJ Grant opened a pathway for “Showtime” to get a shot at the 155-pound title, and Pettis being the last man to defeat Henderson creates a storyline that the UFC will love to promote.
September 21st is the date for UFC 165, when light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will fight an intriguing competitor in Alexander Gustafsson. Perhaps the most deserving competitor that Jones has faced in some time, “The Mauler” brings a set of skills into the fight that nearly mirrors those of Jones, in a way that could give the champion trouble.
On that same card, interim bantamweight champion Renan Barão will defend his title for the second time against Eddie Wineland. Barao is riding the longest recognized win streak in MMA, and has the skills to remain champion for an extended time. However, Wineland’s improved striking has looked crisp in recent fights, and he will surely push the action against the Brazilian titleholder.
Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos will lock horns for the third time over the heavyweight championship at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas. This fight is expected to bring a close to the most important heavyweight rivalry since Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir years ago.
The two big title fights to watch occur at the end of the year. November 16th is the date when Georges St. Pierre and Johny Hendricks will do battle for the welterweight title at UFC 167. Hendricks has defeated nearly every opponent that the UFC has placed in his way, and has looked great while doing so. GSP has always been GSP, but he’s facing a fighter that has world class wrestling and knockout power — enough of a reason to cause concern in even the biggest supporters of “Rush.”
The UFC will then close out the year by bringing fans the rematch of the fight that the MMA world is still coming to grips with. At UFC 168, Anderson Silva will enter the Octagon first for the first time in over 7 years, to take on Chris Weidman, the individual who knocked him out just a few short weeks ago at UFC 162. Ronda Rousey will also defend her title, in a rematch against former champion Meisha Tate in the co-main event.
Momentum doesn’t just affect the athletes in competition, but it can sometimes affect the organization as a whole. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has set itself up for an epic close to 2013, one that will not only push the promotion to new levels, but potentially the sport itself.
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UFC on Fox 8 is due to take place on July 27, 2013 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington.
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UFC 163: Aldo vs. Jung is due to take place on August 3, 2013 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis II is due to take place on August 31, 2013 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson is due to take place on September 21, 2013 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III is due to take place on October 19, 2013 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks is due to take place on November 16, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II is due to take place on December 28, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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