The UFC makes history this Saturday night as they hold their first event in England(correction: the UFC’s first show in England was UFC 38) and have their first event broadcast cable television. Most of the fight card features foreign fighters who will be relatively new to most of the UFC fan base but they are fighters that even the casual MMA fan should take note of. So, in review, we get to see Cro Cop fight… FOR FREE! That pretty much is all you need to know.

Main Card

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Gabriel Gonzaga – A while back, Gabriel Gonzaga was next in line and offered a title fight against then UFC Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia; then the UFC signed Mirko Cro Cop, Randy Couture returned to the UFC and Gonzaga never got his title shot. In reality, while not technically fighting for the UFC heavyweight title, Gonzaga really ended up with a better fight as he’ll take on Mirko Cro Cop with the winner taking on Randy Couture for the heavyweight belt at UFC 74 in August. We all know about Mirko and most are familiar with Gonzaga. While this is the “Year of the Upset” I can’t really see another GSP-Serra upset happening here. I do think Gonzaga will present a decent matchup for Cro Cop and this fight should make at least the second round. Winner: Mirko Cro Cop

Andrei Arlovski vs. Fabricio Werdum – Andre Arlovski is one of the oldest UFC veterans having been with the promotion since UFC 28 in November of 2000. It took Arlovski 5 years to gain the UFC title and just a year to lose it. Arlovski went back to the drawing board after losing back-to-back bouts with Tim Sylvia and got back on the winning track at UFC 66 last December against Marcio Cruz.

Fabricio Werdum is a PrideFC veteran who has fought the likes of Roman Zentsov, Sergei Kharitonov, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Aleksander Emelianenko, and Allistair Overeem. Werdum has an excellent jiu-jitsu submission game as do most Brazilians, and I think he could cause some serious troubles for Arlovski on the ground.

This should be an excellent back-and-forth battle taking place both on the feet and on the mat. I’ve thought about this fight for a few days now, trying to play it out in my head and pick a winner. This more than any other fight on this card really could go either way, but in the end I think I’ve got to go with my gut and pick Arlovski. Winner: Andre Arlovski

Ryoto Machida vs. David Heath – Ryoto Machida was originally scheduled to fight Forrest Griffin, but Griffin had to withdraw due to a very serious staph infection in his leg. Instead, we’ll get to see two undefeated fighters battle it out in what should be a decent fight. Machida still has a lot of hype surrounding him and his “potential” and I think this will be a good test for Machida to work some of his technical striking skills. Winner: Ryoto Machida

Michael Bisping vs. Elvis Sinosic – Elvis Sinosic is slowly becoming the new Shannon Rich of the UFC. Most people consider Sinosic to be only used as an “easy win” for a fighter the UFC is looking to promote. Sinosic has lost 5 of his 6 UFC fights and has a record of 8-9-2 overall, and yet he actually can be a decent fighter when he performs up to his abilities. Michael Bisping is looking to improve his undefeated 12-0 record and I think he should easily defeat Sinosic. While I’m not comletely sold on Bisping as a true challenger for the UFC Light Heavyweight crown, he should win this fight and continue his undefeated streak. Winner: Michael Bisping

Assuerio Silva vs. Cheick Kongo – Assuerio Silva hasn’t fought in the UFC since last May when he lost to Brandon Vera at UFC 60. Since then, Silva has won twice outside the UFC and will be looking to get back into the mix in a newly rejuvinated UFC heavyweight division. Cheick Kongo started off his UFC career strong with victories over the recently departed Gilbert Aldana and Christian Wellisch. However, in his last fight Kongo looked very unimpressive in a loss to Carmelo Marrero as he was completely ineffective on the ground. Marerro easily controlled Kongo on the ground, and while Silva isn’t as good a wrestler as Marrero he should be able to do much the same to Kongo and win the fight without a problem. Winner: Assuerio Silva

Undercard

Dennis Siver vs. Jess Liaudin – Jess Liaudin is an experienced fighter who has been fighting since 1999. While is record of 10-8 isn’t that impressive, Liaudin does have an excellent submission game and is very dangerous on the ground. His opponent, Dennis Siver, is equally as accomplised in the submission game as Liaudin. Both fighters are new to the North American audience, but this should be a good fight and I’m hoping that we might see it on the TV broadcast. Winner: Dennis Siver

Alessio Sakara vs. Victor Valimaki – Alessio Sakara is a UFC veteran who has lost his last two fights to Drew McFedries and Dean Lister. Victor Valimaki made his UFC debut against David Heath at UFC Fight Night 7 losing a close split decision. Look for both fighters to stand and throw some heavy punches and for Sakara to get back on the winning track. Winner: Alessio Sakara

Terry Etim vs. Matt Grice – Terry Etim is an undefeated submission specialist and another England native. Matt Grice is an accomplished wrestler and has mostly fall in small local shows in Texas and Oklahoma. This should be a somewhat interesting battle on the ground as long as both fighters stay active. Winner: Terry Etim

Junior Assuncao vs. David Lee – Both fighters will be making their second appearance in the UFC and both fighters loss their UFC debut by rear naked choke. David Lee is a wiry Englishman who has spent his whole career in the Cage Rage promotion with all his victories coming by way of submission. Assuncao has bounced around and has both a decent ground and standup game. Nothing too exciting in this matchup. Winner: David Lee

Paul Taylor vs. Ediberto Crocota – I honestly no nothing about either of these two fighters. Paul Taylor is from England and has mostly fought in shows in his native UK. Ediberto Crocota is a Brazilian from the same camp as the Nogueira brothers. I’m just making a random guess here. Winner: Ediberto Crocota