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Cagewriter - UFC

Cagewriter

Fri May 30, 2008 2:39 am EDT

Big weekend on tap

By Dave Doyle

The highest-profile weekend in North American mixed martial arts history is on hand, with major televised events on Saturday and Sunday night.

First up is the debut of CBS Saturday Night Fights, from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. While Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano have gotten the bulk of the hype, there are two more fights true fans know have the potential to steal the show: the middleweight title match between champion Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith; and the outspoken Phil Baroni vs. the underrated Joey Villasenor.

Sunday, the action shifts to Sacramento, Calif., where the WEC puts on the biggest show in company history on Versus. Hometown hero Urijah Faber puts his featherweight title on the line against former UFC lightweight champ Jens Pulver; and Miguel Torres makes the first defense of his bantamweight crown, against Yoshiro Maeda.

Which show are you most anticipating? What looks to be the best fight of the weekend? Tell us your thoughts on the upcoming action and give us your predictions.

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616 Comments

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  1. Aaron P
    1. Posted by Aaron P Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    As a hardcore devotee, I think I am looking forward to the WEC card more, since the p4p implications are much higher. Still, the fan in me loves to see the reemergence of Robbie Lawler, the spectacle of Kimbo and Baroni, and, of course, the lovely Gina Carano. I will probably enjoy the Elite card more as it is happening, as well as look back on it as a big step in making mma mainstream, but talk more about the aftermath of the WEC fights on the discussion of who the world's best fighters are in years to come.
  2. Jeremy H
    2. Posted by Jeremy H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Im looking forward to both. But the Faber vs. Pulver fight is like a free PPV main event. It will probably be the beginning of wars to come between these 2.
  3. mathiasmorciglio
    3. Posted by mathiasmorciglio Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    Faber Pulver looks to be a great fight, and one for the ages. I think I'm more interested in watching the WEC fight, but Robbie Lawler is great, and Gina Carano is the future of womens MMA. Plus I'd love to see Kimbo get knocked the (profane) out, although I doubt it will happen if they keep feeding him patsies.
  4. greg
    4. Posted by greg Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    can't wait for this weekend. i am looking forward to both cards and to see how miguel torres does in his first title defense. actually the next couple of months are loaded with mma action.
    And the winner is ........... the Fans.
  5. Drew
    5. Posted by Drew Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    I'm gonna have to put myself in the corner of the WEC for this weekend. As much as I am going to enjoy watching Gina Carano fight, nothing Elite XC can do could compete with the double title show WEC is putting on. Two of the top 10 pound-for-pound guys in the world defending their titles in one night. The UFC typically doesn't even do that, and you have to pay to see their shows on TV.
    I just hope that the Faber-Pulver fight can live up to all the hype. But having watched those two before, it is going to be a fight which we're gonna remember for quite a long time.
  6. JOEYDIPP
    6. Posted by JOEYDIPP Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    $%!# Im watching both. No need for me pick one or the either. I have the options. There both going to be good.
  7. Black_sexxy
    7. Posted by Black_sexxy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    I'm looking forward to seeing both but I am still a big fan of Kimbo Slice I feel he is not getting his due respect. If someone feels that he is a street thug and nothing else step into the ring and validate your point with him.
  8. Black_sexxy
    8. Posted by Black_sexxy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Faber *vs* Pulver is going to be a fight that put chills of excitment through your body!!!!!!!
  9. nok_u_out
    9. Posted by nok_u_out Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    I am watching both- no going out- just hanging out and watching the fireworks. I am most excited about Jens Vs Faber. Hopefully that will be a war- with Jens coming out the victor.
  10. Trsigley
    10. Posted by Trsigley Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:22 pm EDT

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    I will be at the Elite XC show.....then rushing back to Baltimore to cath the WEC event. Faber vs. Pulver should be a war. Hopefully Pulver can survive the initial Faber onslaught. As far as the Exlite XC show.....decent card, but I wish they would put Kimbo up against respectable competition. For him to improve he needs to fight better and better competition. I mean how much can he really learn from fighting Thompson and Abbott. I'm not hating just think a matchup with Ricco Rodriguez would be a better main event fight. War Lawler!!!!!!!!
  11. josh c
    11. Posted by josh c Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    I like watching Kimbo fight because he isn't afriad to brawl and thats what i like to watch. But i think that Elite XC should match him into Antonio Silva whos has great Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shotokan Karate background. I think it would be a great fight and would be his best test that Elite XC has to offer him. Kimbo can be a great fighter, but you have to give him good fighters for him to prove himself and thats what everybody wants, is for Kimbo to match into the BEST!!! And UFC HAS THE BEST!!!
  12. mmmmk
    12. Posted by mmmmk Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Man how long is cbs gonna wait until they announce who kimbo is fighting looks like if that was your main event ppl would know the opponent by the day b4 :P
  13. DS
    13. Posted by DS Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    Curious about Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano, but more interested in the other matches mentioned above.
  14. mmmmk
    14. Posted by mmmmk Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    so it still says kimbo vs TBA is carano his opponent?
  15. Dubya b
    15. Posted by Dubya b Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

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    Everyone should be bowing down to Kimbo for putting MMA in the spotlight and into the mainstream. The general population don't know or have a vague idea of what MMA is or even the its major organization, the UFC.
    However, everyone nearly knows who Kimbo Slice via YouTube, but they don't know who Fedor, BJ Penn etc. are, or at least they aren't familiar with them. Most people in the MMA world assume everyone knows about their sport and fighters, because they mostly associate with people who know the sport.
    Stop hating Kimbo and enjoy the spectacle that can finally bring MMA into the forefront of sports and network TV.
  16. J W
    16. Posted by J W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    I understand Faber was training with BJ Penn to help BJ get ready for Sherk.....I wonder if BL clued FAber into Pulver's weaknesses to return the favor? Also expect the Kimbo Thompson fight to be a slugfest. Because of Kimbo's strong chin and hopefully newfound cardio as a result of training with Bas Rutten, he should probably outlast Thompson. However, don't be suprised if Thompson hangs with him for at least the first round.
  17. mathiasmorciglio
    17. Posted by mathiasmorciglio Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    I gotta agree with #19, Kimbo is not that great. I get so tired of hearing about Kimbo, he hasn't fought anyone real, and I've seen his youtube fights they aren't that impressive. And one thing is for (profane) sure, KIMBO DID NOT PUT MMA ON THE MAP! I'm not saying he couldn't become good, he's got legitamite knockout power, but until he fights someone (anyone) who isn't a pastsy put in front of him just to lose I don't think he deserves the hype. Anyone with decent ground skills or even advanced Muy Thai can probably take the guy out. I'm not trying to hate here I just think that he needs to fight some real fighters before he gets billed as some sort of super star.
  18. Lowly
    18. Posted by Lowly Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    Kimbo isnt anything? Well lets see, having had no formal training, coming from the streets he now fights in Elite XC and is the main event, Saturday, having had about a year of training, and is 2-0 against professional fighters no matter the caliber, and on one hand you call him whatever you called him, then on the other hand you wanna say let him fight the top pros in the world who have been training from before mma was known as mma and see how he gets submitted! Wow you are great, I guess i shouldnt be asking but how long have you been training, and how long has it taken you to become the main event, and for organization, cause you must be something special that I just havent heard of yet!
  19. DAN Y
    19. Posted by DAN Y Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    #17 and 21 It is pitiful you even mention an unproven street thug in the same comment as FEDOR.They are giving him a guy who was knocked out with one punch many times...Who's next 4 him a 300 lb Mike Tyson???Fedor would literally hurt this thug any way he wanted to beat him.If he is such a banger put him in with a disappointing Crocop...Crocop by knockout in less than 1 minute...Finally W.Silva would destroy him and end his non career in less than a minute.Elite Xc needs a better seller I agree with Dana on this ,and I never agree with Dana...Put the thug back on youtube and sign Fedor to be the face of your organization!!!Then you will have a real Champion MMA FIGHTER...
  20. Dennis
    20. Posted by Dennis Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    #21 ya Kimbo hasnt fought anyone good yet. I could beat tank abbott. To be talked about you need to beat the best, and to beat the best you have to know your stuff. Obviously you havent been trainging long cause you still watch backyard fighters. And Elite XC isn't that big my friend. My buddy has 3 fights and is fighting there. Lets see tomorrow if he gets beat and see how long the talk sticks around. See ya KIMBO go back to Florida and beat up no named meat heads. HAHAHA
  21. Rasheed T
    21. Posted by Rasheed T Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    For me both events are big. On Strikeforce theres my fav female fighter (Carano) and on sunday my fav male fighter (Pulver). Both events have high profile fighters: Carano, Baroni, Lawler, Pulver, Faber, Torres.
    Kimbo is all hype right now. So far he has yet to fight someone of high caliber. So far the only people he's fought were washed up veterans with almost nothing left. Im not saying fighters like Tank dont have it anymore, they just arent the fighters to truely test Kimbo's notoriety with.
    Lawler and Smith appears to be a good match up with the potential to be a great fight. Both fighters have great standup, and I dont think either one will be looking to take the fight to the ground.
  22. J.Pulver
    22. Posted by J.Pulver Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    WEC Card.I have been following the buzz about Pulver/Faber for a while now and am amazed how much of a favorite Faber is.Pulver was "The CHAMP"and is 8-0 at 145#s.He has beat people like BJ Penn.Who has Faber really fought?I agree this will be a great fight but Vegas is betting on a Pulver win.They would be raking in the dough since everyone seems to be going with Faber.Enjoy the fight and remember not to blink during this one.Pulver wins in 4 rounds.
  23. Scott B
    23. Posted by Scott B Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    I think the WEC card is the real deal, but EXC has some good matchups. Baroni and Smokin Joe should be good. And Smith and Lawler has the potential as well. I think Kimbo is fighting a tomato can. Hopefully this Thompson guy can hang for a bit.
    WEC card does not have the same kind of matchups where I know all the fighters, and I watch a lot of MMA. But I can guess that I will be thoroughly entertained. Joe Silva knows hot to match fighters up. Razor Rob, coming off the loss of his title is gonna be looking to destroy Alexander and Torres is a submission specialist. Those two fights could end quick. Looking forward to finding out who the other fighters are and what they got.
  24. Scott B
    24. Posted by Scott B Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    I forgot to mention the headliner on WEC. I think it will end before the 2nd round is over. Faber has me convinced he is one of the best pound for pound, but Pulver is no slouch. Faber could submit Jens, but Pulver has the potential for knocking out Urijah or submitting him. I will go out on the limb and say Faber in a 2nd round submission, he is just too talented. Either way, I see a rematch in about 8 months.
  25. J.Pulver
    25. Posted by J.Pulver Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    Remember-Pulver has never been submitted within 5 rounds at this weight.(145 #)Faber does have 1 loss at this weight.The submission happens in later rounds.Maybe Faber will make me a believer after this fight.

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