Looking to build off their last this past May that saw Texas MMA rep Johny Hendricks defeat Josh Koscheck and Nate Diaz submit Jim Miller in the main event at UFC on FOX 3, the UFC has now turned to the light heavyweights to represent the world’s premiere MMA organization on the main card this time around.
Former champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua faces Brandon Vera in the main event of the evening while fellow former 205 lbs. champ Lyota Machida faces off against Ryan Bader in the co-main event.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones already holds victories over all four combatants. Now all four will be vying for a shot at redemption with UFC President Dana White being quoted as saying whoever wins “most impressively” Saturday gets the next title shot against the dominant champion provides he gets past his own next challenge versus Dan Henderson.
“I know winning isn’t enough,” said Shogun Rua regarding his main event bout. “I have to look very impressive and I am planning on a fast knockout like I did against Forrest Griffin. I am not underestimating Vera, he has skills and has a lot to prove, but I have skills and want my title back.”
As with Rua, the other three combatants pretty much echoed similar sentiments regarding their own opponents with all four seemingly as poised as ever to capitalize on the title opportunity.
Joining the little heavyweights on the main card are two other bouts.
At welterweight, one-time Houstonian Mike Swick makes his octagon return after two years of battling serious injury against DaMarques Johnson.
“I think in a way I’ve preserved a lot of my athletic prime while dealing with my health issues,” said Swick. Over the last two years I’ve not taken any damage to my body or head in a way that eight or 12 fights would have done. Even though I had to miss out on all those fights, I feel I’m coming back more healthy than ever. I’m faster than I’ve ever been, I’ve worked speed non-stop for two years, and I’m more motivated and hungry. That fire that used to burn is even bigger. So I’m definitely far from done, and I think this is a whole new beginning for me.”
“I love how he (Johnson) pressures and comes forward, he looks for the finish, and he’s not a boring fighter. He’s not gonna try to hang on to me or win a decision, and I think it’s gonna be a great matchup for the fans. He’s the perfect fight to showcase that I am back.”
Rounding out the main card is a lightweight clash featuring one-time WEC champ Jamie Varner taking on Joe Lauzon.
The latter has won 6 out of his last 7 bouts and has several ‘sub of the night’ and ‘fight of the night’ awards to his credit while doing so. As for Varner, the one-time champ is fresh off an amazing upset of Brazilian striker Edson Barboza and will be looking to continue that momentum against Lauzon in the opening fight of the night.
Below is the full card along with our quick picks. Share your own predictions in the comments section or post them on our TXMMA Facebook Page.
UFC on FOX 4 Predictions – Main card (FOX):
205 lbs.: Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera – Shogun by TKO, RD2
205 lbs.: Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader – Machida by TKO, RD2
170 lbs.: Mike Swick vs. DaMarques Johnson – Swick by submission, RD1
155 lbs.: Jamie Varner vs. Joe Lauzon – Lauzon by submission
UFC on FOX 4 Predictions – Preliminary card (FUEL TV)
145 lbs.: Cole Miller vs. Nam Phan – Phan by decision
205 lbs.: Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado – Davis by submission, RD1
145 lbs.: Rani Yahya vs. Josh Grispi – Yahya by submission RD2
265 lbs.: Philip De Fries vs. Oli Thompson – De Fries by TKO, RD1
145 lbs.: Manny Gamburyan vs. Michihiro Omigawa – Gamburyan by decision
125 lbs.: Ulysses Gomez vs. John Moraga – Gomez by submission, RD1