Weekend MMA Primer 11-2-2012
A jam-packed weekend of MMA fights is on deck once again, as the highly anticipated World Series of Fighting debuts. A new league attempting to roll with the big boys, WSOF brings a card packed with a multitude of recognizable faces and some slick match-making for their first show. Also, the RFA will hold it’s forth show highlighting both former UFC fighters, as well as some young up and comers. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated bouts of the weekend.
Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4:
Tyson Griffin vs. Efrain Escudero:
Two faces that graced the UFC Lightweight division for several years, Tyson Griffin and Efrain Escudero will look to carve out a nitch for themselves outside the octagon as they collide in the RFA’s main event. Griffin is one of the most complete fighters you’ll find and has had a great deal of success in his career to date. Using advanced muay thai, strong wrestling, and a knack for avoiding submissions on the mat, Griffin has gone a hard fifteen against multiple future and former world champions, yet never touched gold himself. Having been cut from the promotion after losing to Bart Palaszewski, he’ll hunt for that elusive title in a new promotion.
Efrain Escudero was one of the biggest surprises from TUF 8, but perhaps the largest burnout in the shows history. Having surprised everyone with a win over Nover to take the contract, weight issues and what was viewed as a lack of discipline saw his TUF contract torn up and the young fighter was sent packing. Having found renewed vigor outside the octagon, Escudero returned to the UFC but was never able to get into the winners circle again before being released. While Escudero has a great deal of speed for a Lightweight, some crisp traditional boxing, and pin-point wrestling, he needs to find the will to grind in the gym and come out a champion. With two men still in their fighting primes, this could be a sleeper fight of the weekend as they both attempt to break out of their losing ways and work towards renewed glory.
Lance Palmer vs. Fredson Paixao:
A bold move to say the least, Lancer Palmer makes a short notice leap into the fray, taking on WEC veteran Fredson Paixao. Palmer is one of the new breed of NCAA wrestlers looking to make a splash in MMA. Having spent a year at Team Alpha Male, Palmer is putting together a vicious submission game to add to his elite wrestling skill, but will take a major step up in competition against Paixao.
Paixao is a world champion BJJ fighter who saw some success in the WEC, but a brutal KO by flying knee put him on ice and has kept him from the sport for the last two years. Now looking to rebound and find his place inside the cage again, Paixao will look to show how his BJJ can stop and submit this young wrestling prodigy.
World Series of Fighting 1:
Anthony Johnson
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson vs. DJ Linderman:
An unprecedented and compelling story continues to unfold before us at WSOF, as disgraced fighter Anthony Johnson looks to salvage his future, facing former heavyweight DJ Linderman at 205lbs. While Johnson’s failure to make-weight after a career at 170lbs became a running joke in the MMA community, the sad reality of his body shutting itself down seems to be lost on many. With no ability to “cut” to a reasonable fighting weight, Johnson took a bold step in his career, going for a monster in the 170lb division to fighting at his walking weight at a 205lber. This has required a complete overhaul of his lifestyle and fighting style, as the strong-arm tactics he employed at Welterweight will get him nowhere as the smaller man. Having found success this far in this journey, he’ll take on his biggest challenge yet, both physically and technically.
DJ Linderman is a busy man. Splitting his time between Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight, Linderman has proven to be a tougher fighter than most give him credit for. Having natural grace for a large man, Linderman has parlayed this into one of the better boxing games you’ll see in this weight class, complete with some Roy Jones Jr style movement. Having stunned some true Heavyweights with his speed, Linderman will have to adjust against the faster still Johnson in what could be the most important fight of both men’s careers.
Miguel Torres vs. Marlon Moraes:
A legend of the lighter weights, Torres got onto the bottom floor of MMA and quickly carved out a place for himself. A long time champion in the Bantamweight division, Torres was an absolute nightmare for years before being put away by Brian Bowles. From there, Torres found his climb back to the top to be harder than expected, being unable to secure enough wins to keep him at the top of the division and eventually finding himself out of the UFC all together. Perhaps the most talented “free agent” on the planet, Torres will compare skills with the vast MMA world and once again make that run toward championship status.
Moraes finds himself in a tough and dangerous fight, but one he’s not entirely unprepared for. Moraes brings an exciting striking style full of dynamite in the pocket, inventive counters, and championship BJJ to make you think twice about making it a ground fight. While Torres has an impressive bag of tools, Moraes could shock the world if the former Bantamweight title holder doesn’t come into this fight ready to rumble.
The weekend in MMA will also see Bellator 79 and another episode of The Ultimate Fighter 16.
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Category: Featured, MMA, Resurrection Fighting Alliance, World Series of Fighting
About the Author (Author Profile)
I'm a 20+ year veteran of martial arts and a fan of MMA since UFC 1, when my world was thrown on its head by the budding sport. I'm obsessive in the pursuit of martial abilities and have competed across the country in everything from Vale Tudo to archery to Scottish broadsword. Once my body broke down, I picked up a pen and went in the direction of writing. I specialize in betting advice, predictions, and I'm a walking encyclopedia of MMA trivia. I own a cafe in Exeter, NH called Hammersmith Sandwich Company and write out of my office between customers.Subscribe
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