First and Worst: Week of February 23 – March 1, 2015

By Adam Martin

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: Eddie Alvarez vs. Gilbert Melendez, UFC 188

My pick for the best new fight announced this past week is the upcoming lightweight fight at UFC 188 between perennial contenders Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez, which is due to take place June 13 at Mexico City Arena in Mexico, City. It’s an important fight between two of the best 155-pounders in the world, and it will serve as the co-main event of the card underneath the headliner of UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez vs. interim champ Fabricio Werdum.

This is a tremendous fight between two fighters who were once champions in smaller organizations. Melendez was the long-time Strikeforce lightweight champion, while Alvarez held the Bellator title on two separate occasions. For years fans called for this fight to be made, and while there was interest by Scott Coker of Strikeforce and Bjorn Rebney of Bellator, for whatever reason the fight never got made. Until now, that is.

Both men are no longer champions, but both men still are among the elite fighters of the UFC lightweight division. Alvarez lost his UFC debut to Donald Cerrone, but he looked awesome in the first round, and with no jitters this time around should put on a better performance. As for Melendez, he just lost to Anthony Pettis in his bid to win the UFC lightweight title, but he was doing well in that bout up until getting caught, and despite the loss, I still consider him one of the top five fighters in the division.

This bout has the potential to be an all-out war, and potentially a classic slugfest in the vein of Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez. I know the fight is happening a few years after it should have, and I know both guys aren’t champions of other organizations anymore, but so what? This is a great fight, and an excellent co-main event for the UFC’s next foray into Mexico.

Both men are ranked fighters, both men have similar balls-to-the-wall styles, and both men are fan favorites. Seriously, how could anyone not like this fight? It’s exceptional in every sense of the word, and I can’t wait to see it.

UFC 188

• Eddie Alvarez vs. Gilbert Melendez

Click the stars to rate your anticipation for this fight.

Worst: Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff, UFC 187

My pick for the worst new fight announced this past week is the upcoming women’s strawweight bout at UFC 187 between Rose Namajunas and Nina Ansaroff, which takes place May 23 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s a fight between two ladies coming off of losses, and it’s expected to take place on the UFC 187 prelims.

I understand that the UFC wants to build Namajunas back up after she lost against Carla Esparza in the TUF 20 Finale, but this is way too big of a step down for a proven, talented strawweight. Despite the loss to Esparza, Namajunas proved with her devastating submission victories over Alex Chambers, Joanne Calderwood, and Randa Markos during that season of TUF that she’s an extremely talented fighter, and even though she’s only 22, she’s easily one of the best in the division.

Contrast that to Ansaroff, who’s one of the worst fighters in the division. The MMA Masters product was dominated in her UFC debut, losing a clear-cut split decision to Julianna Lima where she was taken down to the mat repeatedly, and while she didn’t get finished, it was still a blowout loss. Ansaroff has some nice striking, but Namajunas will be well prepared by her boyfriend Pat Barry for any of the kicks that Ansaroff will throw at her, and I don’t even think Ansaroff will land more than 10 strikes before she’s taken down to the mat and tapped out.

From a rankings point of view, Namajunas is considered the #4 by the UFC, but instead of facing one of the 11 fighters ranked beneath her, she’s fighting an unranked fighter who hasn’t earned the respect of the fans. While it will be nice to see Namajuanas get back on track, there were much more capable opponents available that would at least push her, and Ansaroff isn’t going to do that. Again, I know the UFC wants to get Namajunas back in the win column, but losing to the champ doesn’t mean she should fight an unranked opponent just to restore her value, even despite her young age.

This is an easy fight to call. Namajunas via submission, likely in the first round. Easy. Take it to the bank.