Thiago Alves vs Jordan Mein Set for UFC Fight Night 49

Thiago Alves vs Jordan Mein Set for UFC Fight Night 49

by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

An intriguing welterweight match up between long-time UFC vet Thiago Alves (20-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC) and up-and-coming prospect Jordan Mein (28-9 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has been added to UFC Fight 49 in August.

UFC Fight Night 49 takes place August 23 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The card will be the first time the UFC puts on a show on Tulsa.

Fighting for the second time since returning from a 2 year lay off caused by a series of injuries, Alves most recent defeated Seth Baczynski by unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 11 in April. Fighting out of American Top Team, the 30-year-old has has alternated wins and losses in his last 6 bouts but will be hoping to get back to the form which seen him put together a 7 fight unbeaten streak between '06 and '08 to earn a shot at the welterweight title.

A product of Strikeforce, Jordan Mein also returned to competition from an extensive layoff at UFC on FOX 11. A 37 fight veteran, the 24-year-old Canadian made his UFC debut against Dan Miller at UFC 158 who he defeated by TKO in the first round. He was then beaten by Mike Brown but bounced back with a victory over Hernani Perpetuo.

Stay tuned to kingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest on UFC Fight Night 49

Gunnar Nelson vs Jordan Mein rumoured for UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester

UFC Fight Night 30 rumoured to have added a welterweight battle

by John Haigh @JohnBJayHaigh

Gunnar Nelson vs Jordan Mein rumoured to be added to the UFC Fight Night in Manchester.

Another fight is rumoured to have been added to the upcoming event in Manchester in the welterweight division, Gunnar Nelson is rumoured to take on Jordan Mein in a battle of young talent.
Nelson (11-0-1) is 2-0 in the UFC, but both of the fighters he faced DaMarques Johnson and Jorge Santiago have since been cut from the UFC. He was originally given a much higher rated opponent at UFC 160 where he was set to fight Mike Pyle, but the Iceland native had to pull out due to injury and will be keen to prove himself against Mein.

Mein (27-9) is only 23 years old but has already clocked up 36 pro fights as well as several amateur ones. After stopping Dan Miller at UFC 158, Mein took a short notice fight with Matt Brown, earning FOTN honours but suffered a second round TKO loss. The young Canadian has won 9 of his last 11 fights overall and will be looking to get back on track with a win in Manchester.

UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Munoz takes place on October 26th and is the UFC's second event in England in 2013. Tickets are now on sale to UFC Fight Club Members but from Friday will be on sale for anyone who receives the UFC Newsletter. Then on Monday 19th August the tickets go on general sale.

UFC on Fox 7 - A final thought - Fights to make after UFC on FOX 7

Fights to make after UFC on FOX 7

by Ben Heather @benheather and Chris Houten @Houts4thewin

Benson Henderson

Benson Henderson vs winner of TJ Grant vs Gray Maynard has been announced so we expect this to be the next time we see Henderson defend his belt in the octagon.

However, I want to see Henderson vs Melendez 2. Although the winner of TJ Grant and Gray Maynard is expected to get the next shot at the lightweight belt, this is the fight to make at the top of the lightweight pile now. Why, because it was so damn close – the fans just need to see it again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm the last guy you will hear saying that champ/ challenger should get an immediate title shot, they clog the division up and kill off top contenders – just see what happened with Pettis vs Guida, but as a fan how can we all be happy with Melendez going away to fight his way back up the contender ladder when he should actually be the champion right now depending on who you ask.

 For me this fights a no brainer and I'm sorry for the Grant vs Maynard winner but you are simply going to have to get in line with the Pettis' of this world and wait for your shot.

Gilbert Melendez

If Melendez doesn't get the rematch (which at this time is looking very unlikely) then I think that Melendez should fight another champion, this time the former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez.

Yes, I know what you are all thinking Alvarez has not signed with the UFC yet and I agree at this point in time it needs everything to align perfectly for this fight to happen but I think not only could it happen it has the name power to easily headline a UFC event.

In any other division the thought of putting two legitimate contenders in the cage together could be thought of as lunacy as your eliminating a top name from the title picture but in a stacked division like the lightweight division anything could happen.

Daniel Cormier vs A Top Light-Heavyweight

Cormier's victory over Frank Mir was impressive, not so much for the way he won the fight, but for the way he was able to control the two time UFC heavyweight champion Mir for most of the fight. But one has to think “Cormier isn't prepared to fight Cain Velasquez that is the frigging point”!

If anything the Mir fight has introduced Cormier to a larger audience and that's about it. I feel now is the time to either step up and say “I'll fight anyone” Jon Jones style when presented with the possibility of fighting Rashad Evans or get on the phone to Mike Dolce, and work out how your gonna get down to 205, while avoiding the same problems with his Kidneys he did during the Olympics.

All things at present indicate to the latter, which if I'm honest suits me, Jon Jones is crying out for challengers at the moment (and not those that fight at MW). I'd like to see Cormier take on the winners of either Henderson vs Evans or Shogun vs lil Nog. Both options would give Cormier a real telling warm fight whether he deserves a shot at the Light Heavyweight belt.

If Daniel Cormier stays at Heavyweight

If however Cormier stays at heavyweight and agrees in the long run that him and Cain would fight I want to see him fight the winner of the Werdum vs Big Nog fight. The winner of that fight should then become the next heavyweight number 1 contender.

Frank Mir

The next time we see Frank Mir enter the octagon a fight vs Overeem would makes sense, both are coming of losses but are still very marketable guys. In a styles vs styles match up the winner of Mir vs Overeem would be back on track at making a run in the heavyweight division. This fight would make a great co-main of any numbered event.

Josh Thomson

Although I predicted a Josh Thomson victory on Saturday night, the manor in which it came was far from to be expected.

Thomson looked awesome, and of all the Strikeforce guys on the card that night he quite possibly showed himself to be the biggest stand out going into the so called big leagues.

The Lightweight division is a stacked division right now and a fight between the winner of Miller vs Healy would not only work in terms to scheduling, it would also be a fight which would take the winner one step closer to a title fight.

Realistically Thomson has just beat the #4 ranked guy in Nate Diaz and a fight versus the winner of this weekends showdown could be made for the next number 1 contender. If Henderson is set to fight either Maynard or Grant than this could be made on the same card to make the next challenger. If not, Thomson vs Miller would make a great fuel headliner if you ask me.

Nate Diaz

For me I can only see one fight which has to be made next for Nate Diaz, that's Diego Sanchez.

Diego started calling for the fight with Nate after he beat Takanori Gomi in Japan saying how he has already beat Nick and wants to be the first person to beat both Diaz brothers. Plus, if both turn up and bring their A games then it will be an incredible fight!! The fact that Nate is now coming off back to back losses makes this fight a possibility again. When Sanchez called him out it didn't look likely but now I really want to see this fight.

However Chris would like to see, Nate Diaz vs Matt Wiman.
I know Diaz has flirted with a move to welterweight citing their are no challenges for him at the weight anymore, but that excuse doesn't go down to well after you get knocked out. Diaz didn't really look himself on Saturday and maybe that can be attributed to the fact that two of his training partners have had the biggest fights of their careers just weeks apart of each other.

No doubt about it Diaz is one of the best lightweights in the world, but at this stage he is on a two fight losing streak and should take a step down in competition. Enter the fighter formally known as handsome - Matt Wiman.

 A fight with Wiman makes a lot of sense. Both guys would enter the fight coming off loses, Wiman gives Diaz the step down in competition he needs right now but still has a good enough record to make the fight sellable. This fight feels like a war!

Matt Brown

I want to see Matt Brown fight Dong Hyun Kim in a rematch of their UFC 88 battle which finished in a split decision win for Kim. The fact Kim has only lost to Condit and Maia and is now on a 2 fight winning streak makes the timing for this fight very good and could easily push the winner in to contendership and well inside the top 10.

Another possibility would be for Brown to fight the Hathaway vs Erik Silva winner.
I had a little chuckle on Saturday night when Bruce buffer introduced Matt Brown as a technical brawler, but damn that dude is on a tear! Now on a 5 fight winning streak having bounced back from losing 3 on a bounce, Matt brown is proof that the UFC should stick by their fight.

Matt brown has knocked out his last 3 opponents as part of his win streak and in any other division it's be hard to argue with a title shot, but if Johnny Hendricks can't get a title shot what hope does Matt Brown have? I'd like to see Matt Brown take on the winner of next months welterweight match up between prospects John Hathaway and Erik Silva.

The winner of this fight will prove a stern test for Brown as he looks towards a title fight, and likewise a fight with Matt Brown will show what the future will hold in the careers of either Hathaway or Silva.

Jordan Mein

Jordan Mein vs Brian Ebersole, Jordan Mein was expected to beat Matt Brown on Saturday and unfortunately it looks like the hype train has been derailed ever-so-slightly. He's young and there is still plenty of time to break the top 10. It's likely Mein will find himself on the undercard of PPV even, or possibly the main card of a fuel / fx card and a fight with Brain Ebersole would make sense - similar skillsets, position in the rankings and both coming off losses.

UFC on FOX 7 Main Card Results - Matt Brown vs Jordan Mein

Matt Brown defeats Jordan Mein by TKO Round 2, 1:00

by John Haigh @JohnBjayHaigh

The first fight on the main card justified why for the second time in three fox events Matt Brown has opened up the show. Jordan Mein stepped in on a months notice for an injured Dan Hardy to take this fight with Matt Brown. Both fighters came in to this fight on a hot streak and a win in this fight would put there names into the already stacked welterweight title picture.

Round one took no time at all to get going there wasn't the usual feeling out period in this one. Mein stepped straight in with an elbow and Brown fired back with shots of his own. Both fighter landed huge shots in round one causing serious damage to each other.

Mid way through the first Brown landed some big knees in the clinch hurting Mein. Mein has moments of his own in round one landing a big body shot sending brown straight to the mat, he also has a guillotine choke but couldn't quite lock it in. Brown was visibly hurt and could be seen wincing from Mein's continued attacks to the body. Brown managed to hold on and managed to answer with a triangle choke attempt which Mein only just managed to escape from late in the first round.

Round two started off much the same way as the first but it was Brown who started to edge the contest. Brown got his hand speed going landing combinations backing Mein up, then Brown landed a knee to the face dropping Mein to the mat. Brown swarmed trying to finish the fight landing vicious elbows to the head and body until the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight.

The win puts Brown on a five fight win streak and surely he can't be far from a number one contender fight.

The fight was also awarded fight of the night with both fighters pocketing a $50,000 bonus cheque.

UFC on Fox 7 Main Card Predictions

Kingdom MMA: UFC on FOX 7 Main Card Predictions

by Ben Heather @benheather

On Saturday night it will mark the 7th time that the UFC will be on FOX and this fight card has a real UFC vs Strikeforce feel to it all the way through. I really like how the UFC has put this card together and if the introudction most of the Strikeforce fighters have put on up until now is anything to go by, we will be in for a treat on Saturday night.

Below you will find the predictions from all the guys at Kingdom MMA for the main card.

Benson Henderson (18-2) #1 LW vs. Gilbert Melendez (21-2) #2 LW

Scott: There are not many who can significantly challenge Ben Henderson for his UFC lightweight title with Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis heading up this group. Unfortunately for Saturday's main event Gilbert Melendez is not in this group. Henderson is stronger than him everywhere and his skills are to the point where he is proving to be an innovator within the sport. Melendez was lucky to come away with the Strikeforce lightweight championship in a closely fought fight with Josh Thomson and Henderson is a huge step up in quality that I don't think he'll be able to handle.

This fight will be very similar to Henderson's previous versus Melendez teammate Nate Diaz as we will see another superb display of technique and aggression from "Smooth" that will overwhelm the challenger. Henderson won't lose his tag as having on average the longest fights in the UFC, but who cares when he is such a joy to watch.

Prediction: Henderson by Unanimous Decision

John: This will be a close one to call, Henderson is the champion but to be honest he's never really impressed me that much. I still don’t think he beat Edgar either time. On the other hand Melendez was the Stikeforce champion and is coming in off a seven fight win streak, so he's defiantly got some momentum going. I think the fight will go to a decision and I see Melendes edging it.

Prediction: Melendez by Split Decision

Ben: I predict only one thing in this fight, a Henderson victory!! I don't think Henderson gets anywhere near the credit he is due. In his first fight with Edgar he clearly won the fight in my opinion and their shouldn't have been a rematch. The rematch was a lot closer but I still gave him the win. This guy has beat a who's who of lightweight contenders on the way to getting his shot and now as champ has beat Nate Diaz and Frankie Edgar twice.... who else can say they have done that. Nobody!!

I agree with Scott, I am not sure if he finishes him but I do know he will put on a show as he always does.

Prediction: Henderson by Unanimous Decision

Chris: Melendez is an excellent fighter, who can definitely cut it with top 5, top 10 guys in the world, but I'm not as enthusiastic about his chances in this fight as some of his supporters .

Both fighters have similar skillsets but I think Henderson has a wrestling advantage, handles offensive pressure better, and definitely has more kicks in his arsenal.  I think this fight will be a little bit closer than the Diaz fight was, but I think Henderson takes this one quite easily.

Prediction: Henderson by Unanimous Decision

Frank Mir (16-6) #5 HW vs. Daniel Cormier (11-0) #3 HW

Scott: Daniel Cormier came out of almost nowhere to win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and announced himself to the world in a big fashion. So much so that he goes into his UFC debut as a heavy favourite against veteran Frank Mir. Cormier's striking has looked on point in his recent fights and I think he'll have the advantage there over Mir. The big question is whether Cormier will utilise his excellent wrestling game against the division's best submission artist. Cormier wasn't afraid to go there with Josh Barnett, but Mir is a different proposition. Cormier will dictate this fight, but there is always the chance of a flash of inspiration from Mir a la his brutal submission of Big Nog in December 2011.

Prediction: Cormier by Unanimous Decision

John: I’m picking this out for fight of the night. Cormier comes in unbeaten and Mir comes in off a loss and will be desperate to get the win so with that I see this being a war. Both fighters have great stand up and are both comfortable on the ground so it will be hard for either fighter to get an advantage. I see this fight going back and forth going the distance with Cormier getting the decision.

Prediction: Cormier by Unanimous Decision

Ben: I think I must be the only person (as i was last week when i predicted that Kelvin would beat Uriah Hall) who thinks that Frank Mir has a decent chance. The odds for this fight baffle me... Yes Cormier has looked very good in his days in Strikeforce and has possibly the biggest hype train of any fighter making his debut in the UFC. But he has not fought anyone with BJJ like Mir.

I predict one of two things, either Mir tries to get Cormier down and in the process gets knocked out or the more likely happening in my opinion. Mir gets hold of one of Cormiers limbs and forces the submission victory. Welcome to the big show Cormier.

Prediction: Mir by Submission Round 2

Chris: I don't see how Cormier loses this one if I'm honest. Sure Frank Mir is an excellent opponent, and one of Cormiers toughest to date, but when you look at the 3 core skills in MMA - wrestling, striking, ju-jitsu, Cormier has beaten guys who are better than Mir in each facet: Striking: Silva and Poa, Wrestling: Barnett and Ju-jitsu: Jeff Monson. I like Cormier to keep this fight on the feet, using his speed advantage to win a Unanimous decision

Prediction: Cormier by Unanimous Decision

Nate Diaz (16-8) #5 LW vs. Josh Thomson (19-5)

Scott: These two bellicose fighters could well put on the night's best fight in what is sure to be a fast paced encounter. Both are holders of BJJ black belts and could cancel each other out in that department bringing things down to the striking and wrestling departments. Thomson likely has the better wrestling, but will he want to risk taking Diaz to the ground. Ben Henderson did, but he had to do a lot of work to escape submission attempts when he wanted to pour on some ground and pound. Diaz has the striking advantage here and I think this will be the most important aspect of the fight and Thomson could well play into Diaz's hands (no pun intended) here as he looks to go toe-to-toe with him.

Prediction: Diaz by Unanimous Decision

John: This one's easier for me to pick, I think Diaz will bounce back from his loss to Benson Henderson and defeat Thomson and make another run for the title. Thomson has been a bit inconsistent over the last few years so I see Diaz winning this one.

Prediction: Diaz by Submission Round 2

Ben: Thomson pushed Melendez all the way in the fights they have had and so has a good reputation and rightfully so. However I feel in this fight, like in the main event it may be a rude awakening and a case of welcome to the UFC. I am predicting that Diaz picks his shots and keeps Thomson at range then when he see's the opportunity he goes for a submission.

Prediction: Diaz by Submission Round 3

Chris: Josh Thomson might be flying under the radar a little bit to the casual fan down to injury problems in the past, but he has beat some quality opponents - Gilbert Melendez, Pat Healy, Dauane Ludwig, Hermes Franca and stands a really good chance here.

Thomson goes into this bout with a clear cut wrestling advantage and if he can exercise a similar game to that of Rory MacDonald or Ben Henderson when they fought Diaz, its conceivable Thomson can win this fight. Sure, it wont be easy, Thomson will need to avoid stay on the outside where Diaz can pick him apart with his much better boxing. He also has to be careful not to fall into the guard of Diaz but if he can do that, I see Thomson walking away with the upset.

Prediction: Thomson by Unanimous Decision  

Matt Brown (16-11) vs. Jordan Mein (27-8)

Scott: Matt Brown has come back from three consecutive defeats and an inevitable release to post a 5-1 record in his last 6 fights winning the last 4 in a row. The self proclaimed "technical-brawler" will find his toughest test to date on that run as he faces Jordan Mein who has fought 35 times professionally at only 23. Both will be ready for an absolute war and Brown's iron chin will be significantly checked by Mein who became the first man to finish Dan Miller in his last bout. Brown's achilles heel is his submission game as he has been finished 9 times by this method and Mein could capitalise on this shortcoming and continue to make a name for himself in the UFC.

Prediction: Mein by Submission Round 2

John: I’m going Jordan Mein for this one, I don't see it being a long fight and don't think it will get out the first round. Mein steps in for an injured Dan Hardy, I think that would have been a lot better fight. However  even with Mein stepping in and having less time to prepare for a tough opponent I think Mien will come in stronger and win in the first round.

Prediction: Mein by KO Round 1

Ben: Again for the second time on this card I am picking the underdog. I think Matt Brown has been on a roll and I dont see it stopping. The way he has finished Swick on Fox 5 impressed me so much and I predict he will do the same against Mein.

Mein did look very impressed and the big stage did not get to him when he finished Dan Miller only a few weeks ago but I think coming in on short notice and against Brown on the run he is on is a combinatin for failure.

Prediction: Brown by KO Round 2

Chris: Fair play to Matt Brown, from a 3 fight losing streak, and 1 fight away from being cut from the UFC, he goes on a run winning 4 of 5, and picking up some impressive KO's along the way. Unfortunately I don't see him being able to continue that run against up-and-coming Jordan Mein. I expect Mein to be able to control the fight from the outside with his crisper striking, and I can see Mein overpowering Brown when he does go inside or in the clinch.

Prediciton: Mein by KO Round 2

Dan Hardy injured and out of UFC on Fox 7 fight

Dan Hardy out injured, replaced by Jordan Mein and now meets Matt Brown at UFC on Fox 7

By Ben Heather @benheather

Dan Hardy (25-10 MMA 6-4 UFC) has been replaced by Jordan Mein (27-8 MMA 1-0 UFC) for his fight on the UFC on Fox 7 event vs Matt Brown (16-11 MMA 6-5 UFC). No details have been released on the injury or how long it will be before we can expect to see Dan Hardy back in the octagon.

Hardy was looking for his third straight win following a four fight losing streak which had some fans questioning how he still had his job with the UFC. But the UFC were repaid for the loyalty they showed in him when he got the KO of the night against Duane "Bang" Ludwig. He then returned to his home town to win a unanimous decision win over Amir Sadollah. After his win against Sadollah he went on to call out Matt Brown during a Q and A session for UFC in Australia but for now that fight will have to wait.

UFC officials announced the changes overnight and now Jordan Mein is set to return to the Octagon five weeks after his fight less than a week ago at the UFC 158 event where he looked very impressive in his UFC debut against Dan Miller. He finished Dan Miller for a first round TKO giving him his third straight victory.

Brown will be returning to fight on Fox again after his impressive knockout of Mike Swick with a second round TKO at UFC on Fox 5. He has currently won four in a row and five of his last six fights now. This run is a great run for any fighter to have but when you think that before that he lost three in a row in 2010 and like Hardy was on the verge of being cut before changing his fortunes.

The new fight of Mein vs Brown will be on the main card of the UFC on Fox 7 fight which is headlined by the lightweight title fight between Benson Henderson vs Gilbert Melendez.

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