Headlining the card in San Jose will be UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson defending against a local favorite Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez who finally makes his long-awaited UFC debut after winning 7 straight as the champ under the Strikeforce banner before that organization was gobbled up and purchased by UFC parent company, Zuffa.
Co-headlining in NorCal is another highly-touted import in former top NCAA wrestler and Strikeforce grand prix winner Daniel Cormier. He’ll be putting his undefeated 11-0 record on the line against former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir in their long-awaited clash that was inititally supposed to happen this past September.
Completing the lineup for the main card will be nearby Stockton, CA resident Nate Diaz taking on another Strikeforce import in Josh “Punk” Thompson and Matt Brown taking on Jordan Mein.
UFC on FOX 7 Main Card – Preview and Predictions
155 lbs.: Ben Henderson (18-2) vs. Gilbert Melendez (21-2)
What a way to step into the UFC for Gilbert Melendez – giving him a shot at the strap right away but I guess it’s only fitting considering he’s won 7-straight and never relinquished his title in Strikeforce. Meanwhile, the champ Henderson is on one heck of a streak himself and is coming off a dominant win over Nate Diaz. Add it all together and this is a very fitting unification match.
Looking at this match in more detail, what you have is a contest pitting two very well-rounded fighters against each other. Both have a true MMA skillset without a glaring weakness. The difference here might be the fact that Benson has kept relatively busy fighting (and doing grappling tournaments) as of late while Melendez hasn’t fought in nearly a year. Will ring rust be a factor? Maybe, maybe not but it’s worth noting. His last fight against Josh Thompson also left a bit to be desired and Henderson is a whole different animal at this stage of his career.
Prediction: Benson Henderson over Gilbert Melendez by unanimous decision.
265 lbs.: Daniel Cormier (11-0) vs. Frank Mir (16-6)
Finally, Frank Mir and Daniel Cormier get to step into the cage and settle all their trash talk in a bout that has been a long time coming. Both are not short on credentials heading into this one with Mir being a former UFC world champion while Cormier has been a world-beater in Strikeforce and won their big-time HWT Grand Prix last year.
Heading into this fight, “DC” (Cormier) has come in as the big favorite and justifiably so considering he’s dominated the likes of Josh Barnett amongst others to win that Grand Prix. He’s also got some clout as the main training partner for UFC HWT champ Cain Velasquez who says he’s by all accounts the toughest person he’s gotten to work against.
Frank Mir is a very experienced opponent and has recently moved to train with noted trained Greg Jackson in preparation for this fight but will it be enough? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a crafty vet but I still can’t help but think Cormier is a horrible matchup for him. He likely won’t win any decisions and he’ll have a heck of a time trying to get him to the ground, much less sub him. Meanwhile, Cormier is only getting better and better and will probably wear on Frank as the fight goes into the later stages.
Prediction: Daniel Cormier over Frank Mir by TKO, RD3.
155 lbs.: Nate Diaz (16-8) vs. Josh “The Punk” Thomson (19-5)
A trip to Northern California wouldn’t be complete with a Diaz brother on the card. In this one, Nate Diaz will look to resume his winning ways by taking on San Jose resident and AKA fighter Josh Thompson.
Diaz should come into this fight well-versed in the fighting style and tendencies of his opponent. After all, Diaz’s training partner Gilbert Melendez has fought Thompson more than a few times now so he should be able to give him so tips. Stylistically Nate is much like his brother Nick and exhibits great boxing to go along with his exceptional BJJ skills. Meanwhile, Thompson is also pretty well-versed on his feet but will definitely come in as the better wrestler of the two.
This will all come down to who wants it more but something tells me neither guy will get finished on the way to the judges’ scorecards. In that type of fight I’ve got to give the edge to the guy who should be able to use some timely takedowns to dictate where the fight takes place.
Prediction: Josh Thomson over Nate Diaz by unanimous decision
170 lbs.: Matt Brown (16-11) vs. Jordan Mein (27-8)
Opening the FOX main card will be this bout between two guys defending some impressive win streaks in Matt Brown and Jordan Mein. A win for either one of these guys brings them one step closer to title contention so expect this one to be either a chess match or a dog fight. Either way the fans should win.
The younger of the two, Jordan Mein has finished his last two opponents in the first round by TKO – including tough vet Dan Miller. Meanwhile, Brown has brought new life to his career with a 4-fight win streak after he was thought to be on his way out of the UFC as recently as 2011.
Talk about one heck of a gatekeeper…. “Immortal” (Brown) is the type of guy that just won’t quit. So what do you against a guy like that if you’re Jordan Mein? Try to exploit his technical weaknesses is the right answer here. And despite the fact that he’s 9 years younger, Mein has just as many fights on his record and a better penchant for winning. Look for him to show that here until Brown proves us wrong… yet again.
Prediction: Jordan Mein over Matt Brown by submission, RD3.
Undercard Quick Picks: Chad Mendes by TKO (RD2), Francis Carmont by decision, Myles Jury by submission (RD1), Joseph Benavidez by TKO (RD2), Jorge Masvidal by submission (RD2), TJ Dillashaw by submission (RD2), Anthony Njokuani by TKO (RD2), and Yoel Romero by unanimous decision.
UFC on FOX 7 – Quick Card
Main Card (FOX)
155 lbs.: Benson Henderson (c) vs. Gilbert Melendez <title>
265 lbs.: Frank Mir vs. Daniel Cormier
155 lbs.: Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson
170 lbs.: Matt Brown vs. Jordan Mein
Preliminary Card (FX)
145 lbs.: Chad Mendes vs. Darren Elkins
185 lbs.: Francis Carmont vs. Lorenz Larkin
155 lbs.: Ramsey Nijem vs. Myles Jury
125 lbs.: Joseph Benavidez vs. Darren Uyenoyama
155 lbs.: Tim Means vs. Jorge Masvidal
135 lbs.: T.J. Dillashaw vs. Hugo Viana
Preliminary card (Facebook)
155 lbs.: Anthony Njokuani vs. Roger Bowling
185 lbs.: Clifford Starks vs. Yoel Romero
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