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: Rosi Sexton vs. Jessica Andrade, UFC Fight Night 30
My pick for the best fight announced this past week is the upcoming women’s bantamweight bout between Rosi Sexton and Jessica Andrade, which has been set for UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester this October. With both women having lost their respective UFC debuts, I would expect the loser of this match to be cut, and that should provide both of them with extra motivation to have a great performance.
Although Sexton lost to Alexis Davis and Andrade lost to Liz Carmouche in their respective first fights in the Octagon, both women were more competitive than most thought, although in both fights it was clear that both should be fighting at 125 pounds. But since the UFC doesn’t have that division yet, they can’t. So at least in this case, both will be fighting someone closer to her own size.
I expect an extremely exciting grappling affair between Sexton and Andrade, and even though the card has some fun fights on paper already booked for it, don’t be surprised if the pair wins FOTN in England this fall.
• Rosi Sexton vs. Jessica Andrade
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Worst: Tarec Saffiedine vs. Matt Brown, December UFC event
My pick for the worst fight announced this past week is the upcoming welterweight bout between Tarec Saffiedine and Matt Brown, which takes place at an undisclosed December fight card. The fight will be Brown’s toughest test to date, and he earned the fight against the last Strikeforce welterweight champ after reeling off six straight wins, while Saffiedine will finally be making his UFC debut, and doing so against the hottest fighter in the division.
On paper, this is a good fight between two strikers on the bubble of the top 10. However, I don’t believe this fight is the right test for Brown, who should have fought a wrestler such as Mike Pierce instead, as that aspect of his game hasn’t really been tested during his win streak, and yet it’s the most important skill to have if one wants to contend at 170 pounds in the UFC.
In Saffiedine’s case, Brown is a tough challenge for his UFC debut, but it’s the same problem for him as well, as Brown isn’t the guy to test his wrestling, and that’s the skill we need to see if he has in order to determine if he’s a legit contender at 170 or not.
I’m sure this is going to be an exciting fight, but like I said, I really don’t think a win proves much for either guy here as far as their prospects of contending for the belt, and I kind of wish the UFC booked both guys against other fighters.
TBD
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Matt Brown
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UFC Fight Night 30: Machida vs. Munoz is due to take place on October 26, 2013 at Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, England.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 30 will be.
