Five for Fighting - 5 Upcoming Heavyweight Tilts

UFC Champion Cain Velasquez                  photo: ESPN

When memorial day weekend rolls around you can set your watch by two things, me getting "bungalowed" drunk because it's my birthday weekend and a wide array of wonderful heavyweight fights. Last year UFC 146 had a main card packed with heavyweight battles ending in Junior Dos Santos retaining his world title against former champion Frank Mir. This Saturday is the beginning of another quintet of heavyweight battles over the next few weeks which will mold the division for the year ahead.

Cain Velasquez v Bigfoot Silva

Might as well start at the top. This weekend 265lbs champion Cain Velasquez takes on challenger Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva for the UFC heavyweight title in a rematch of their 2012 contender fight which took place 364 days previously. It was a fight which ended brutally. Velasquez took the Brazilian down, unloaded some vicious elbows which cut his opponent and ended the fight all inside the first round. Since then Cain has defeated Dos Santos to regain his title and Silva has won two tough fights, knocking out both Travis Browne and the highly fancied Alistair Overeem. With no other clear contended in the division this match was made - despite the mauling in the first.

The big question going into this fight is whether Bigfoot can get any closer to Cain than the last time. The answer? Probably not. Cain is a superb wrestler and an ever improving striker, which he displayed immensely in the rematch with Dos Santos. He is quicker than Silva and better in almost every aspect. What Bigfoot has in his favor is his size and strength. He is a huge man who has to cut down to the 265lbs heavyweight limit and has boulders for fists. Another big factor is that this is now Silva's 4th fight for the UFC. The first fight with Cain was his Octagon debut and maybe the infamous jitters played a part. We will find out on Saturday. Anything can happen in the heavyweight division but a Silva victory would surely be the biggest shock of the year.

Junior Dos Santos v Mark Hunt

The co-main event of UFC 160 sees a real old fashioned match-up between two heavy-handed striking experts, Junior Dos Santos and Mark Hunt. This fight has explosive written all over it. Hunt, a former K-1 champion, is riding a four fight win streak coming into this number one contender fight including wins over veterans Stefan Struve and Cheick Kongo. He truly is a Cinderella story. Coming into the UFC he had more losses than wins and was offered a sum of money to be released from his contract. He refused. Now with a 4-1 UFC record he is on the cusp of a shot at the gold.

First he will have to get past long time top contender and former champion Junior Dos Santos who is coming off a brutal 5 round drubbing at the hands of Cain Velasquez. “Cigano” is widely recognized as one of the best boxers in MMA and when he meets Hunt this Saturday he will be up against another one. Two expert strikers collide in what is primed to be a barn burner. Dos Santos has the speed advantage, he throws combinations like a middleweight but with outrageous power. Speaking of power, Hunt has it in spades, the last punch he threw in anger literally shattered the jaw of his opponent. Both men have titanium chins. This is a shootout for the ages. Something will have to give. Don't miss it!

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira v Fabricio Werdum

Fabrico Werdum against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is a fight which seems to have been announced an age ago. It kinda was. "The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 2" coaches will go head to head in two weeks time on the shows finale in Fortaleza, Brazil. This fight may have been more to do with “TUF” coaches in mind rather than the match-up itself.

In short Werdum outmatches “Big Nog” in every department. It may have been a different story a few years back but today Werdum is the better fighter. His Jiu-Jitsu game is arguably unmatched at heavyweight, add to that the vicious striking and clinch work he showed against Roy Nelson and you have one of the most well rounded fighters in the world. Nogueira is a wily veteran and certainty isn't without a chance but at this stage in his career it may be a slim one. A win for Werdum will put him very close to contention for a shot at the title.

'UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2' weigh-in results (Video)

It's the Friday before fight night which can mean only one thing. There are 24 fighters that are really hungry and ready to look their opponent in the eye and go get some food and liquids back into their bodies.

Below you can check the full written results and video of the UFC 160 weigh-in which will start promptly at 7 p.m. in the East at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Preliminary Card (Facebook - 6:35 p.m. ET)

• Jeremy Stephens (146) vs. Estevan Payan (145)

• Brian Bowles (135) vs. George Roop (135)

• Stephen Thomspson (170) vs. Nah-Shon Burrell (172*)

Preliminary Card (FX - 8:00 p.m ET)

• Khabib Nurmagamedov (158.5)** vs. Abel Trujillo (155)

• Robert Whittaker (171) vs. Colton Smith (170)

• Dennis Bermudez (146) vs. Max Holloway (145)

• Mike Pyle (170) vs. Rick Story (169)

Main Card (PPV - 10 p.m. ET)

• Donald Cerrone (155) vs. K.J. Noons (156)

• Gray Maynard (156) vs. T.J. Grant (155)

• Glover Teixiera (205) vs. James Te-Huna (206)

• Junior dos Santos (239) vs. Mark Hunt (264)

• Cain Velasquez (240) vs. Antonio Silva (263)

Win some Fight Forward Gear in Free Kountermove game

Hello fight fans, you know what's better than one awesome MMA related item?  Two awesome MMA related items.  Well, we have Fight Forward MMA coming together with Kountermove to offer a free tournament where the top three finishers will win the Fight Forward T of their choice.  No cost to enter, just make your picks and watch UFC tomorrow and cheer on your guys.

We would greatly appreciate if you play the game, that you'd also head over to Fight Forward's twitter account and give them a follow.  They're just Twitter babies, and are looking for friends. 

Thanks for playing, and good luck!

Here's the link to join in on the fun!

UFC 160 Free Kountermove Game

UFC 160 HOV staff pick em

These days, hov-mma rolls deep. For UFC 160 we're rolling seven deep, to be exact. You're either with us, or you're against us. Regardless, you probably want to check out our picks for this Memorial Day weekend extravaganza. Luckily for you, we've provided them below. Enjoy.

• Jeremy Stephens vs. Estevan Payan

Dan Rose: It’s win or go home for Stephens, and win he will.  He should hold a major advantage over the UFC newcomer here, and get back on the winning track, in a big early KO way.  Stephens, KO Round 1.

Dave Reno: I can't believe 'Lil' Heathen' is only 26. I feel like he was born inside of the Octagon. It's not time for him to be cut yet. This is one of those guys who wins the fights that he supposed to win and loses the ones where he comes in as the dog. Stephens via TKO - 1st Round. 

Denise Tracey: Stephens to win; Payan doesn't have the experience or the will.  And Stephens cleary has the advantage with nicknames:  "Lil' Heathen" beats "el Terrible" 9 times out of 10.  Extra points awarded for creativity and the use of a contraction.

Evan Shoman: Stephens will win because I don’t remember watching Payan fight.

Sean Sheehan: 'Lil Heathen may have lost his last three fights but they were all against tough opponents, this one shouldn't be as tough. The Strikeforce fighters coming over have done really well and although an upset wouldn't surprise me I'm picking Stephens inside the distance.

Lindsey Proctor: My pick: Estevan Payan. He’s going to be motivated to fight his best in his UFC debut and is on a nice winning streak.  Jeremy Stephans will be motivated to get off his losing streak, but as long as Payan doesn’t get the “octagon jitters”, I think he can pull this off.

Dwayne Wolff: Stephens via 1st Round TKO. 

Total: 6-1 for Jeremy Stephens

UFC 160 Dana White Vlog #1

We are just days away from UFC 160 so you know what that means right? It's time to take a behind the scenes look at UFC 159 with our mutual friend Dana "F'in" White.

Check out the video below along with some HOV bullet points for your convenience. Enjoy.

Fallon Fox chases dream at CFA 11

Fallon "The Queen of Swords" Fox fights this Friday night, May 24th, against Allanna "Hands of Stone" Jones in the co-main event at CFA 11 on AXS TV.  There have been many things said and written about Fox and whether or not she should be fighting inside of the cage.  Most of it has been uninformed opinions.  People reacting emotionally to something that is different that they do not understand and it becomes easier to parrot other people's thoughts and opinions instead of doing research and thinking for oneself.  I have not looked at all of the science that is out there myself.  I have read and heard  a little from both sides of the argument and the one thing that is clear is there is not nearly enough research done to definitively answer one way or the other.  For me, the commission has licensed her and feels that she does not have an advantage because of her previous gender.  They have done the necessary research and have given Fox her license to fight.

What exactly constitutes an advantage in MMA?  And what is fair?  Is it fair that Jon Jones has an insane reach and length?  It is a clear advantage for him.  Jose Aldo spent years playing soccer and he now has devastating leg kicks.  Is that fair?  Every fighter that enters into the cage has advantages and disadvantages versus their opponent.  Some are genetic, others are through training.  It is how they use them, it is about not making mistakes and capitalizing when your opponent makes their mistakes.  It is about who has the heart and the desire.  That fire that burns inside.  Every fighter fights many little individual private battles before they enter the cage.  Fox is no different except for her many of those battles have become public.  All over what may or may not be an advantage for her and could turn out to be a disadvantage for her.

'CFA 11: Kyle vs. Wiuff' press conference (Video)

An epic dais was on display in Downtown Miami's Bongos Cuban Café earlier today for the CFA 11 press conference. Main eventers Mike Kyle and Travis Wiuff, along with women's featherweight tournament semi-finalists Ashlee Evans-Smith, Anna Barone, Fallon Fox and  Allanna Jones were all in attendance, just to name a few.

You can find the full video of today's presser below. As always keep it locked her for tomorrows weigh-in's and of course on Friday night for a big night of  fights live on AXS.TV.

'UFC 161: Evans vs. Hendo' Event Poster, Updated Fight Card

Here's is your new 'UFC 161: Evans vs. Hendo' event poster and the updated fight card as it stands today. UFC officials are still working to get Eddie Wineland an opponent for the pay-per-view portion of this card.

Main Card (PPV)

• Light Heavyweight Main Event: Rashad Evans (17-3) vs. Dan Henderson (29-9)

• Light Heavyweight Bout: Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua (21-7) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-5)

• Heavyweight Bout: Roy Nelson (19-7) vs. Stipe Miocic (9-1)

• Heavyweight Bout: Pat Barry (8-5) vs. Shawn Jordan (14-4)

• Women's Bantamweight Bout: Alexis Davis (13-5) vs. Rosi Sexton  (13-2)

Preliminary Card (FX)

• Welterweight Bout: Jake Shields (27-6-1) vs. Tyron Woodley (11-1)

• Lightweight Bout: Sam Stout (19-8-1) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-3-1)

• Light Heavyweight Bout: Ryan Jimmo (17-2) vs. Igor Pokrajac (25-9)

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

• Bantamweight Bout: Yves Jabouin (18-8) vs. Dustin Pague (11-7)

• Welterweight Bout: Sean Pierson (13-6) vs. Kenny Robertson (12-2)

• Lightweight Bout: John Maguire (18-5) vs. Mitch Clarke (9-2)

• Bantamweight Bout: Roland Delorme (8-1) vs. Edwin Figueroa (9-2)

TVP: Mark Hunt breaks Struve's jaw in Saitama

When Kiwi-born super hero Mark Hunt collides with Junior dos Santos this Saturday in Las Vegas he'll find himself just one finish away from a shot at UFC gold. Considering that Hunt was sporting a professional MMA record of 5-7 just two years ago makes his current state amongst the heavyweight elite all the more impressive.

One of the main reasons 'The Super Samoan' finds himself in this position is due to his most recent performance, which was that of the jaw breaking variety.

Hunt was no stranger to Saitama, having enjoyed his greatest victories and most disappointing losses there. He gave the fans a show inside of the Super Arena last February when he put away Cheick Kongo and with the crowd behind him in this PRIDEesque freakshow fight against the 7 footer Stefan Struve, well, we already knew we'd be in for another special moment.

Relive Hunt's highlight reel finish of Struve below in it's entirety as a little appetizer for this weekends top heavy Memorial Day weekend pay-per-view.

Manitoba Makeover: 'UFC 161: Evans vs. Hendo' Gets Heavy

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With the UFC's next visit to Western Canada under a month away, the promotion is taking the necessary steps to avoid another Canadian disaster, a la UFC 149 in Calgary.

Following the recent injury to interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao, the powers that be behind the curtains at Zuffa seem to feel that this event needed a little beef. And by beef I mean Roy Nelson. It was teased on the Fuel TV weekly 'UFC Tonight' that Nelson would be fighting on the pay-per-view portion of UFC 161 in Winnipeg against a yet to be named opponent. It was later confirmed by MMA Junkie that the opponent would be none other than Strong Style Fight Team's Stipe Miocic.