UFC kicks off its third event in a week this Wednesday on Fox Sports 1, as UFC Fight Night 28 will be broadcast live from Brazil with a big light heavyweight battle in the main event. However, after UFC Fight Night 28 it will be more than two weeks until the next premier event. The main card of the event is not light on quality fighters; there will be five ranked fighters in the last three fights of the night.
This is what’s at stake on Wednesday in the three key tilts put on by the UFC:
Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga
This matchup features the #1 vs. #5 ranked flyweight contenders respectively, according to the UFC’s internal rankings. That should get fans excited in itself.
The unfortunate thing about the bout, however, is that it may not be that competitive. Benavidez is that much ahead of Formiga. Or so it seems. Formiga does bring in a quality skill set that will always make him dangerous, but we got a taste of what this fight may be like in Benavidez’s last outing.
A potential title shot in on the line for both men, as the flyweight division needs contenders. Benavidez needs the win more because he has already lost to the champion. A loss for him would make it that much more difficult to earn a future shot.
If Formiga can upset Benavidez, though, it will be hard not to grant him a title shot. High stakes at 125 pounds this Wednesday.
• Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier “Formiga” Da Silva
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Yushin Okami vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
This looks to be the best fight on the card. Two high level, ranked, middleweights.
Stylistically, this fight is dead even. Okami has the ability to stifle Jacare on the feet and on the ground. Jacare, on the other hand, is one of the most dynamic middleweights in the world. The fight could end in the blink of an eye. It is a coin-flip of a fight.
A title shot is not on the line for Okami, but as the contender the UFC ranks #3, he isn’t too far off. For Jacare, a title shot may in fact be in the cards with a win. He is a fresh challenger for the middleweight crown, and his intriguing style makes him interesting to fans.
Huge ranking implications are at stake in this fight.
• Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Yushin Okami
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Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader
Teixeira enters the fight as the #3 ranked light heavyweight contender by the UFC, and with a title shot potentially on the line. The UFC has said a win for Teixeira on Wednesday will likely make him the next challenger to the throne currently seating Jon Jones.
For Bader, a return to the UFC’s Top 10 rankings is on the line. He has been pushed outside of that list due to a loss to Lyoto Machida, and Chael Sonnen‘s return to the 205-pound division. He was once at the precipice of joining the elite of the division, and this is his chance to reclaim some of that buzz.
Teixeira’s hype is what Bader wants to steal. That will be no easy task.
With a title shot on the line, it will be interesting to see how Teixeira comes out. We have seen some fighters play it safe with high stakes in the balance. That can affect the organization’s decision to grant a shot, even with a win. We will find out on Wednesday.
• Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader
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With much of the undercard filled with mid-tier talent, these three fights have a lot on the line. It will be a fun night in Brazil with a lot of action. 11 fights in total will grace your screens when the UFC ends its week long run of three fight cards.
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UFC Fight Night 28: Teixeira vs. Bader is due to take place on September 4, 2013 at the Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 28 will be.
