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: TJ Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton, UFC Fight Night 35
My pick for the best new fight announced this past week is the upcoming bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 35 between TJ Dillashaw and Mike Easton. It was the first fight announced for this upcoming card in Georgia next January, and I think it will be in contention for the event’s “Fight of the Night” award regardless of what other fights are added to this card.
This fight should not only be fantastic from an entertainment point of view, as both fighters are two of the most exciting bantamweights in the whole division, but I like the fact that it’s been made with both guys coming off split decision losses to Brad Pickett (Easton) and Raphael Assuncao (Dillashaw), two of the best fighters in the whole division. And in both instances, Dillashaw and Easton were awarded the FOTN bonus in those losses. So it makes a ton of sense to pair these two off now in order to determine who remains a relevant contender in the division and who will be on his way down the ladder.
I’m definitely leaning towards Dillashaw for the win at the moment, but I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Easton was able to steal a decision on the judges’ scorecards, as he has always been a favorite of the judges, and Dillashaw is the opposite. Either way, regardless of who wins I expect this to be a back-and-forth, action-packed fight, and I can’t wait for it.
Click the stars to rate your anticipation for this fight.
Worst: Luke Rockhold vs. Costa Philippou, UFC Fight Night 35
My pick for the worst new fight announced this past week is the five-round main event of UFC Fight Night 35 between Luke Rockhold and Costa Philippou. On its own this wouldn’t be a bad matchup at all, but the fact it’s a main event leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
I was telling people to expect more main events for Fight Night cards in 2014 to feature mid-level fighters like Rafael Natal, but I was hoping that at least they’d be mid-tier fighters coming off of wins. In this fight between Rockhold and Philippou, while I do consider Rockhold a top-10 middleweight, I don’t think he deserves to headline his own card after getting obliterated by Vitor Belfort in his UFC debut. And I certainly don’t think Philippou deserves a headlining role after being absolutely dominated by Francis Carmont at UFC 165.
As far as the styles go, I’m not really sure what to make of this one. I’m hoping it stays standing and Rockhold’s kickboxing is matched up against Philippou’s boxing, but I have a feeling Rockhold is going to go to his wrestling in this one and take down Philippou at will like Carmont did. And that isn’t going to make for an exciting five-round main event.
This is a solid main card bout for a Fight Night, or a fourth fight on a main card of a PPV, but it’s not a main event fight. Sadly, though, this is the type of fight we will all have to start getting used to seeing headlining UFC cards going forward, as the promotion has nearly 40 events scheduled for next year, and not nearly enough true stars to headline them with.
Luke Rockhold vs. Costa Philippou
Click the stars to rate your anticipation for this fight.
**********
UFC Fight Night 35: Rockhold vs. Philippou is due to take place on January 15, 2014 at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 35 will be.
