UFC 95 Fight Card

Posted on February 9th, 2009

When at first people were skeptical about the UFC 95 fight card, the card is turning out to have a good number of fights.

At the top of the list is Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Stevenson. Sanchez has recently dropped down from 170lbs to enter the lightweight category to climb his way up to the ladder there. It will be interesting to see how the weight cutting effects his stamina, strength and that overwhelming pace that he is so famous for bringing.

Stevenson, coming off a loss at UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar, to top lightweight contender Kenny Florian – will be looking to prove that he is still a top contender in the division. The match ended in a rear naked choke, a submission that has haunted him twice in his career, the first being to the current champion BJ Penn.

That being said, it could be an interesting bout standing up or on the ground. Diego has been training his jiu jitsu in San Diego with BJJ legend Saulo Ribeiro and currently holds a purple belt under him. The last purple belt I would like to see across from me on the mat. Joe Stevenson on the other hand, holds a black belt in BJJ under current ADCC champion (and recent MMA pro) Robert Drysdale, who’s unique jiu jitsu can pose a problem to anybody’s game.

Demian Maia will be returning to the Octagon to take on Chael Sonnen, who was a top contender in the WEC. Maia, whom we have already commended his grappling skills, is also working his way up the ladder very efficiently, earning 3 submission of the night honors in four attempts.

Also in need of mention is Josh Koscheck, who had one of the most vicious knockouts of 2008, will be returning again as he is looking to fight as many times as possible in 2009 to gain experience and work his way up to Anderson Silva.