What's Next for the Winners of Fight for the Troops 3

What's Next for the Winners of Fight for the Troops 3
By Jack Broadey - @j3ck_b

Tim KennedyTim Kennedy was never going to lose in front of his brothers in the armed forces against a good but limited Natal. He still doesn't seem to see eye to eye with Dana White and it's no coincidence in my eyes that the UFC tried and ultimately failed to match Kennedy with 1st Vitor Belfort and then Lyoto Machida. Circumstances determined neither of these happened but I think we see the theme continue with another dangerous opponent put in front of Kennedy. If Bisping is ready for UFC London that would be the logical matchup. If that doesn't happen then Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza would make sense and I think that's what happens.

Alexis Davis
Alexis Davis looked very comfortable against a solid contender. Division is tied up for the immediate future so a fight with Jessica Eye makes sense to me and allows the division time to sort itself out.

Yoel Romero
Yoel Romero didn't look like he would fulfil his potential when he was in the Strikeforce ranks. Since the Zuffa merger he's opened up his UFC account with 2 straight wins. He's not been severely tested and the UFC won't be in a hurry to rush his progress. Derek Brunson strung together his 2nd UFC win in a row in impressive fashion on the undercard and a battle between the former Strikeforce colleagues would push a contender into the proverbial mix.

Rustam Khabilov
Rustam Khabilov put together his 3rd successive UFC win and deserves a higher calibre opponent. He's got solid wrestling credentials and his standup looks very sharp. I like the idea of the Maynard-Diaz winner facing Khabilov but they may be pushed into bigger fights. An all rounder like Myles Jury would see where Khabilov belongs in the division.

Michael Chiesa
Michael Chiesa rebounded from a loss to Jorge Masjvidal with a good win over Colton Smith. Although 3-1 in the UFC he's a middle of the pack guy and is likely to get another guy with a similar standing. Lightweight has a big roster so there's plenty of choices. Jon Makdessi is of similar standing and isn't currently matched so that would be a fun fight to make.

UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for the Troops 3 Main Card Predictions

UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for the Troops 3 Main Card Predictions
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

The UFC is back on Wednesday showing some love to the US troops in Kentucky for UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for the Troops 3. There has been some grips about the quality of the card, but hey... its free, and what else are you doing on a Wednesday night (or Thursday for those with jobs like me).

Kingdom MMA writers Chris Houten and Ben Heather take a look at the main card for UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for the Troops 3 and give you their thoughts and predictions on the night affairs.

Michael Chiesa vs Colton Smith 

Houten: Its safe to say, year on year the winner of TUF get weaker and weaker. The fact that guys like Colton Smith and Michael Chiesa share the same honours as guys like Bisping, Evans, Griffin etc just isn't right.

I personally don't care about this fight, I would have rather had Camozzi vs Larkin, or Bermudez vs Siler on the main card because I don't expect this fight to be that good.

I do think Chiesa will take this one though by submission though much to the dismay of the troop... surely this is the more exciting prospect of a Smith cuddle hug victory.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa - Submission RD 2 

Heather: A battle of TUF winners here and also a potential showcase that the talent in the house recently has got very stretched. If either of these guys were in any of the earlier seasons they surely wouldn't have gone on to win.

I think Smith was exposed last time out and may be again, has any TUF champion gone 0-2 after the finale (yes I know he beat Ricci in the final) but i think Chiesa will have enough to take the win.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa - Unanimous Decision

Rustam Khabilov vs Jorge Masvidal

Houten: Fight of the night right her anyone? Who wins - the fans.....end of!

Prediction: The Fan

Heather: Khabilov has certainly excited the fans since arriving in the UFC and some great team mates to train with at Jacksons. I think he will carry on his path up the ladder of the lightweight division on Wednesday night.

Prediction: Rustam Khabilov - TKO RD 2


Ronny Markes vs Yoel Romero

Houten: Markes is likely to be better that Romero in most areas, but does that matter when you an Olympic wrestler? My answer is no! Romero could surprise us again with some 'flying shit' but its more likely he will take this fight to the ground as and when he wants. I expect him to grind out a unanimous 30 - 27 decision.... I cant guarantee excitement however.

Prediction: Yoel Romero - Unanimous Decision

Heather: This fight is one of the fights I am really excited to see on Wednesday night. Ronny Markes welcomes the heavy hitting Olympic wrestler Yoel Romero to the UFC and I think it is sure to bring the excitement.

I think Markes should be able to put his experience of fighting tougher opponents to use and I think after what should be a very exciting first round Markes will get the victory in the second if he doesn't get caught early on.

Prediction: Ronny Markes - Submission RD 2
 
Liz Carmouche vs Alexis Davis

Houten: Alexis Davis is currently considered the 3rd best 135 in the world at the moment, and with good reason too. Davis is on a good win streak, has descent boxing, and is one of the best submission artist in the female division.... She's also pretty big for the weight too.


Her opponent Carmouche is a great little wrestler, and her ground and pound is one of the best in the division.

With both fighters possessing unique skill sets, the stage is set for an intriguing fight which could go either way. I'm gonna go Davis in this one though by late submission victory. I do think Carmouche with drag this fight to the floor, however I can Davis catching Carmouche off her back to take the victory, setting up Davis as the no. 1 contender.

Prediction: Alexis Davis - Submission RD 2


Heather: after seeing what Andrade did to Rosi Sexton in Manchester by first thought was how good it made Liz Carmouche look in the way she beat Andrade last time out. Davis also beat Sexton in her UFC debut but I think Carmouche will have enough to get the win.

Prediction: Liz Carmouche - Unanimous Decision


Tim Kennedy vs Rafael Natal

Houten: A lot of people have complained about this fight.... "It's not main event worthy".... "worst main event in the history of The UFC" blah, blah, blah, personal fans need to look at the facts - it's on free television in the US, and all of the tickets have been given out for free to US soldiers, what's more a former Marine in Tim Kennedy tops the bill, in a fight he will win, again Natal who steps in as a late replacement for Lyoto Machida who was move to last weeks Fight Night 30 card where he replaced injured Michael Bisping.


One can't help but think the moving and shaking at the top of the 2 cards brought on a huge sigh of relief for Kennedy. Natal is a much easier fight for Kennedy that a Machida who just crippled a wrestler in Munoz far beyond Kennedy's skill set. I like Kennedy to stick in move in this one, keep Natal again the cage, and mix up takedown to take a convincing unanimous victory.

Prediction: Tim Kennedy - Unanimous Decision


Heather: Originally, when he was scheduled to fight Machida I had this as a fight to make Kennedy pay for speaking out against UFC pay and his lacklustre performance against Roger Gracie. Now after calling out the whole division he is set to fight Natal, this fight I now see as a give me fight to Kennedy and I think he will be too much of a step up in opposition for Natal.

Prediction: Tim Kennedy - Unanimous Decision

Lightweight battle added to UFC on FOX 8

UFC on FOX 8 adds a Lightweight battle

by Jack Broadey @J3ck_b

Another lightweight fight has been added to July's UFC on FOX 8 event, as Michael Chiesa (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meets Reza Madadi (13-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC). UFC on FOX 8 takes place July 27. With the headline fight still to be announced.

Chiesa was the surprise winner of "The Ultimate Fighter 15" upsetting Al Iaquinta with a superb submission win at the shows live finale. He returned to action in February with yet another submission win over Finland's Anton Kuivanen.

Meanwhile, Swedish fighter Madadi fights for the first time on US soil. Madadi has fought on both of the UFCs visits to his home country of Sweden so far. Fighting an excellent fight over the durable Michael Johnson earlier this month coming back to win after nearly being knocked out himself and a submission victory over Yoislandy Izquierdo in 2012.

In between those contests, he fought in Brazil at UFC 153 where he was handed a dubious split-decision loss to Cristiano Marcello where many believe he did enough to take home the victory.