MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis

The UFC returns Wednesday night with another strong Fight Night card headlined by Kenny Florian and Din Thomas. Thomas was originally scheduled to fight Spencer Fisher; unfortunately Fisher had to withdraw from the fight due to a staph infection in his knee. This Fight Night also features the returns of Nate Quarry and Thiago Alves to the UFC. Don’t forget to make your picks on MMAPlayground.com for the MMA HQ Fight Camp.

Main Card

Kenny Florian vs. Din Thomas - I was really looking forward to a Spencer Fisher vs Din Thomas matchup, but having Florian step in for Fisher creates an equally exciting matchup in my mind. Florian enjoyed a quick rise through the Lightweight division after his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: Season One. Unfortunately, Florian ran into a brick wall named Sean Sherk in a Lightweight title fight at UFC 64. Since then Florian had an impressive victory over Dokonjonosuke Mishima and made quick work of Alvin Robinson.

Din Thomas if a long-time UFC veteran and I believe that experience will play an important part in this fight. Thomas holds victories over Jens Pulver, Fabiano Iha, and current Welterweight champion Matt Serra. Thomas’s size and reach will allow him to strike from the outside which will pose problems for Florian. When the fight hits the ground, Thomas is as good on the ground as Florian and, in my opinion, has an advantage on the ground do to his lanky frame. This fight should be fast-paced from the opening bell and hopefully won’t leave us disappointed. Din by submission in round 2. Winner: Din Thomas

Chris Leben vs. Terry Martin - If you love two guys throwing strikes at each other then this is your match. If this fight hits the ground for more than 30 seconds I will be more than shocked. Terry Martin has looked very impressive since dropping down to middleweight and doesn’t appear to have lost any of the power he possessed at light heavyweight. Whether you prefer to call Chris Leben “The Crippler” or “Red Terror” or “The Cat Smasher” it doesn’t matter - you know what type of fight Leben will bring to the ring. Unfortunately for Leben, that fight isn’t a very technical one and in his recent fights he has been exposed for his unskillful, “brawling” style of fighting. Look for a Martin to take care of business in the first or second round by knockout. Winner: Terry Martin

Junior Assuncao vs. Nate Diaz - This fight should be a very competitive fight between two good grapplers. Nate Diaz his victory in The Ultimate Fighter: Season 5 but still is just starting out in his professional MMA career. Likewise, Junior Assuncao is looking to get his pro MMA career rolling in this fight. Look for Diaz to try to keep the fight standing early on but for the majority of this match to take place on the ground. I see Diaz grinding out a decision in this one. Winner: Nate Diaz

Pete Sell vs. Nate Quarry - Nate Quarry hasn’t fought in MMA since UFC 56 in November 2005, where he was completely embarrassed by Rich Franklin via a brutal KO in round one. Quarry’s career almost was over due to a serious spinal injury, but he claims he is now back to 100% and ready to be the “Rock” that he was before. Pete “Drago” Sell has lost three of his last four UFC fights including recent fights against Scott Smith and Thales Leites. I think Quarry is going to show quite a bit of ring rust and come out a little “overhyped” for this fight and we will see Pete Sell get back in the UFC win column. Winner: Pete Sell

Undercard

Edilberto Crocota vs. Luke Cummo - Winner: Edilberto Crocota
Leonard Garcia vs. Cole Miller - Winner: Cole Miller
Joe Veres vs. Gray Maynard - Winner: Gray Maynard
Kuniyoshi Hironaka vs. Thiago Alves - Winner: Thiago Alves
Dustin Hazelett vs. Jonathan Goulet - Winner: Dustin Hazelett